Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
THE WORD ON THE STREET
improve its offering for all those who use the city centre.” Manuel Alsoni, Chief Executive Officer, Setha Group, said: “We have engaged two teams of award-winning architects to help us create an exciting new destination on Canterbury’s High Street, and a place that people will want to return to. “The feedback to date has been very positive and we look forward to hearing the views of residents and businesses during the public exhibition and via the Bigglestonyard.info website.” The proposals can be seen at a public exhibition today (Thursday) at the former Nasons department store between 2pm and 8pm and tomorrow (Friday) from mi d d a y u n t i l 8pm.
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WILLIAM JONES, 35, FROM CANTERBURY “My first impressions are it could be anywhere. It could be in the middle of Reading or developed in Ashford; not right in the centre of Canterbury, which prides itself on some beautiful architecture. “Then you have got this land, a simple kind of Monopoly house-shape of a building that doesn’t really reflect any of the materials that are the characteristics of Canterbury - [there is ] no beauty in the design.
“They haven’t grasped the historic context of Canterbury, which makes it different to any other town.” TERI STEADMAN, 65, FROM WHITSTABLE “I do think it would be really nice if they did have some more housing - nice housing and affordable. Small independent shops and a little restaurant would be very nice. “It would be nice for Canterbury, rather than all these big stores - which seem to be closing all the time. “I think a new design is quite nice because I think going back to an old design, you are never going to get the original, are you? “If it’s modern, I think that is quite nice.” NORA RYAN, 70, FROM BIRMINGHAM “It’s a no-go. This type of thing, there is nothing visionary about it. “You see these sorts of buildings absolutely everywhere - it’s the new concept. Lets shove some shops in, some coffee shops, fast food outlets, apartments. “What happens is after two to three years the rents go up, the little shops move out and you are left with a lovely derelict shopping zone. “This city is tourist and student-inclined - this does not fit the image of this street. I think it would be a pity because Canterbury has got a soul; this is soulless.” BEVERLEY GLENDINING, 59, FROM RAMSGATE “I think it looks too big; there is a lot of empty space already. Maybe they could fill the empty spaces and not build more. “It’s a historical town, you should make use of that. “It looks very nice and I’m sure it will be something nice to look around but it looks too big. I wonder what is going to happen to the other end of the town - like Fenwick and that area.”