Town Centre strategy

I have been in France for a few days basically for a board meeting with my business partners and extended to get a few days in the sun. That was what I had hoped for, alas the weather intervened and I sat huddled over a fire whilst it bucketed down outside with temperatures more akin to winter. However it did give me the opportunity to dwell on some issues one of which was the overdue town centre strategy . In my absence a report was filed in the local high quality newspaper about the decision by the last few remaining members of the bowling club to finish using the Kings facility. This is sad but inevitable considering the dramatic reduction in members over the last ten years and the considerable maintenance costs for such a facility for such a few participants. Four or five years ago I worked with officers to structure a scheme to give the bowling club maintenance responsibility and although the club in Highcliffe accepted and worked with the Council to get the scheme operational the Town centre members did not pursue. As I understand it the Highcliffe club is still very active. Further work was done with and by The Kings to assist with promotional support and I have to say they have just as many regrets as I have that this activity will apparently cease following the members decision as published. So I have scheduled a meeting with Kings to explore how we can help this ancient site to contribute to the unique Christchurch experience which has seen such a dramatic increase in visitor footfall this year. It does occur to me that the historic visual relationship between the Constables House and the Castle has been lost over the years so we need to consult as to whether that can be set as an objective. Also my concerns expressed in this blog over the years about the condition of both these ancient monuments and how we as a community can rekindle interest in enhancing and protecting these important historic sites. Watching as I did recently youngster clambering up the walls of the Constables House watched by admiring parents I am afraid, got my blood boiling. I do feel that we have given lip service to the protection of our heritage assets over the last decade and more so would like to generate a more inclusive attitude to making them a greater part of our destination offer as well as treating them with the respect they deserve. How about putting the Priory Quarter roads back to cobble stones?