Originally Posted by garinda (Post 951780)

Genuinely, that's a shame.

It was always going to be a struggle.

It takes much less effort to go to the downstairs cafe.

Originally Posted by Taggy (Post 951783)

The Footfall just isn't there for a Cafe upstairs really, plus the ones downstairs seem to keep their prices a bit lower too.

I honestly think we will see more places close in there after Christmas too!

Best Regards - Taggy

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 951784)

Thr florist didn't sound too happy in the Observer, at being shifted, so that councillors can play at being Father Christmas, in the grotto where her business stood.

She said she'd already seen her takings plummet, since being forced to move from the base of the stairs, into an empty unit.

Still, ho, ho, ho.

A councillor gets to wear a beard.

Originally Posted by Taggy (Post 951790)

Lol!....Yes so i saw,....Apparently Claire Pritchard, who is now in charge of Markets, said "Historically" the Grotto has always been there???...Since when was that exactly?...I recall one being there last year after the refurbishment, but i can't remember one being in the Market Hall before..although i must admit i've not particularly looked for one so i may be mistaken!

Just as a side issue, but certainly as a matter of interest, how doe,'s the Council go about appointing people to various roles? Does Claire Pritchard, for example, have expertise in running markets or business?..I assume she must have some knowledge in that kind of area to be offered that kind of appointment, but i've no idea, or are these appointments made Carte Blanche?

Best Regards - Taggy

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 951797)

I think 'historically', when said by some of our councillors, is the same as a goldfish, thinking it recognises something, the next time it swims round the bowl.

http://www.gardenpondforum.com/publi...t/goldfish.gif

What some in postions of power know about the history of this borough could be written on the back of a festive crumpet.

Originally Posted by Taggy (Post 951790)

Lol!....Yes so i saw,....Apparently Claire Pritchard, who is now in charge of Markets, said "Historically" the Grotto has always been there???...Since when was that exactly?...I recall one being there last year after the refurbishment, but i can't remember one being in the Market Hall before..although i must admit i've not particularly looked for one so i may be mistaken!

Just as a side issue, but certainly as a matter of interest, how doe,'s the Council go about appointing people to various roles? Does Claire Pritchard, for example, have expertise in running markets or business?..I assume she must have some knowledge in that kind of area to be offered that kind of appointment, but i've no idea, or are these appointments made Carte Blanche?

Best Regards - Taggy

Originally Posted by Taggy (Post 951778)

I believe the people from the "upstairs cafe" have now departed & relocated back to Infant Street which i think is "papa bears place"

Best Regards - Taggy

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 951797)

What some in postions of power know about the history of this borough could be written on the back of a festive crumpet.

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 951897)

What's one of those - a lady of easy virtue in a Santa Claus outfit?

Originally Posted by Taggy (Post 951790)

Just as a side issue, but certainly as a matter of interest, how doe,'s the Council go about appointing people to various roles? Does Claire Pritchard, for example, have expertise in running markets or business?..I assume she must have some knowledge in that kind of area to be offered that kind of appointment, but i've no idea, or are these appointments made Carte Blanche?

Originally Posted by gynn (Post 951909)

So the Cabinet member with responsibility for Markets is likely to have little or no experience of running markets.

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob (Post 951911)

One would assume that a normal person, in that position, faced with such responsibilities upon which rest the jobs and businesses of a good number of the electorate would want to canvas as wide a range of opinion as possible before making any recomendation for action. Surely, given what is at stake if the wrong decisions are made, any reasonable person would eschew dogmatism in favour of consulation and compromise - Wouldn't they?

Originally Posted by lancsdave (Post 951881)

From what I've been told they are still opeing both cafes. Upstairs one will also be same name as Infant St

Originally Posted by gynn (Post 951918)

They should seek advice and guidance from officers (in this case the Markets Manager), who are professionally experienced in running markets.

One of the downsides of Cabinet government is that it makes the Councillor the mouthpiece of the Council, rather than the Chief Officer. In the past, it would be the Officer answering the questions about where the crib should be placed, or when the market should be opened. It gave gravitas to the Council's position, because it always appeared that the situation was under the control of someone who knew what they were talking about, and was above petty party politics.

Too often when the Councillor speaks, their shortcomings are too well known by the listener, and nowadays, the officers are faceless backroom boys and girls.

Who, for example knows the name of the Market Manager? Or his boss the Town Centre Manager? Or HIS boss the Head of Regeneration and Housing Services? Or, for that matter, the Chief Executive?

In days gone by, they would be household names in the local press.