Delivering Shepway's True Potential

It is fantastic to be coming back home to Folkestone. I'm frantically house hunting and meeting up with old family friends. As with any homecoming, it makes you think about the changes in the area - some good, some less so.

The ferries and many of the trawlers that I used to watch sailing out of the harbour from the windows of my former home, the Oddfellows Arms (now Euphoria) on The Stade in Folkestone, are sadly long gone and with it, so many local jobs.

The Folkestone I remember in the 70s was quite prosperous, full of tourists in the summer. There was a buzz about the place that inspired my Mum, Eileen, to set up her flower shop in Tontine Street. Mum used to get orders from all over Shepway, and I used to get taken in the car as she delivered orders - from Hythe, to Lydd, across the Marsh and throughout Elham Valley.

Like far too many young people here, after I went to St. Peter's Primary School and the Harvey Grammar I had to move away to go to University, and had to stay away to get my career started.

As an economist, you learn about the things that can help build an area, and prevent a "brain drain". They include a skilled local workforce; good travel and communications; a critical mass of specialised local businesses; and lots of visitors.

We do have good local schools and colleges - I should know: I went to two of them! I admire the efforts that local teachers make despite the bureaucratic burden imposed upon them by the national curriculum and large class sizes.

On the train it takes 20 minutes longer to get to London from Folkestone Central than it did 20 years ago. The high-speed service from Folkestone to St. Pancras will be a huge plus but there are warning signs though: Eurostar cutting Ashford International's services sets alarm bells ringing. Until the new services are running, we should take nothing for granted, and must keep up the pressure to ensure we get the service we have been promised.

The biggest economic disaster that blights our area has to be Operation Stack. Like many others, I was stuck in it only last week. What is more likely to deter potential local investors than knowing that you could find yourself unable to move your goods and alternatives are not available?

I am delighted that Roger De Haan appears to have done a deal to move forward with his vision for the Harbour. The "masterplan" may not be perfect to everyone, but it brings the critical ingredient Folkestone needs: hope.

And there is already hope. The work of the Creative Foundation in bringing the Old High Street and Tontine Street back to life is stunning. New businesses are opening in the area, and with many more buildings destined to be brought back to life, the area is becoming an exciting draw for local shoppers and tourists alike.

The new University building on Mill Bay is pretty much complete, with the first degree courses due to start in September 2007. Perhaps local students in future will stay in the area rather than move away - lets hope! Along with plans for the new theatre / venue on Tontine Street, and other projects, there is a real cause for optimism and sense of renewal - and not before time.

It's exciting to see Bouverie Square's new shopping centre being built by the bus station. This has the potential to bring in lots of new shoppers and tourists by giving Folkestone the commercial heart it has always needed and a big boost to the local economy.

The "Farmer, Fisherman and Artists Market" on the Harbour every Saturday and Sunday from now until Christmas is an excellent idea - I hope this become a regular feature in 2007. Anything that sees my old neighbours the fishermen sell their catch right off the harbour they are landed on is a good thing - please do go along and support it!

I will work hard as a genuinely local champion to help make sure that our young people (including my daughter) get the education they deserve; that we encourage local people to create businesses and attract new employers to the area bringing new local jobs.

We have the opportunity of a lifetime for Shepway to achieve it's true potential. Future generations will judge us on whether we took this opportunity, or we let it slip. I will campaign hard to make sure that finally we achieve our potential and make Shepway great.