Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Some love the ‘new wave’ supermarkets Aldi & Lidl and shop there regularly.
Today after many years of waiting ‘a’ Supermarket has finally opened here in Whittlesey.

It will undoubtedly have some effect on our other ‘convienience stores.
Any difference to me – none and I don’t do shopping very often, and my wife is in charge because when I go I buy too many items not required or items which are not good for me?
She shops where-ever she has ‘vouchers’ for and that wouldn’t be Aldi or Lidl then.

I went to look around 4pm this afternoon and it was ‘busy’ the carpark around ¾ full, and a steady flow of people – I spoke with two – one from Thorney and the other from Heacham..? I had look around and bumped into Store Manager – Michelle from Wisbeach….who said ” They had been busier than expected, and had a few glinches at 7am but all went well for the 8am opening….who was first – I dare say Social Media knows…
Did I buy anything – No…..maybe next time?

Our Whittlesey Business Community are doing their very best to promote themselves and there are many very dedicated individuals trying to make headway.

Our High Streets are suffering, maybe not 20+ Hairdressers or Nail Bars or Take Aways…..but the rest are, it is vital we should support our local businesses.

Off course tomorrow what Whittlesey has been waiting for – for many years – A Supermarket of sorts. Will I be there in the que at 6am no not at my age…..but I may
trundle down later in the day.

Yesterday morning as I was about to enter the Library – across the road was a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) taking notes of parked vehicles, I could see 2 people on mobile phones waving their arms about, within 30 seconds 4 shop keepers came running out of the business premises to move their vehicles (There is a 1 hour time limit on Market Street). This I have witness several times before and not just on Market Street.

In the afternoon, I was at a Fenland District Council meeting, where the sector Inspector (Morris) was in attendance, not very often I have seen this rank at a meeting.
When the issue of ‘illegal parking’ was raised – he stated that only today he had received a complaint from a shop keeper in Whittlesey about the enhanced ticketing of ‘illegally parked vehicles’ – stating it was driving business away.

Sorry Mr Shopkeeper, there are several issues here, do YOU condone ‘illegal parking, and secondly it appears that in many cases Shop Keepers are hogging parking spaces outside of their businesses not allowing potential customers the opportunity to park, and best of all – when the PCSO’s are doing what both the Public and Councillors have asked of them, YOU come running out your shops waving arms – as though YOU are not guilty – Sorry rest my case.
I know of one Van who parks on Market Street for 4 or more hours daily – and I am sure those who transit Market Street know who it is….

We have ‘FREE Parking’ in Whittlesey.

Yes I have contacted FDC Street Cleaning to have the debris removed and swept.

Travelling West – over The Ralph Butcher Causeway/Bridge, land being developed to the right. Go to FDC Website/Portal Click Here to see plans and documentation.

Practice Manager @ New Queen Street Surgery – The practice has made the decision to close’ doctrin’ for the remainder of the week due to capacity issues. 
They have a couple of GP partners covering it on their none working days but this is not sustainable for the remainder of the week.

Lakeside’s central team are preparing some comms to go out on the website. 
This is not a decision that has been taken lightly but is a necessary one for patient safety.

A company working on behalf of Cadent Gas has requested the use of the above open space, while undertaking work to replace the gas mains in the area of Snoots Road and Priors Road, Whittlesey.

A fenced compound, which will include a welfare unit, horse box unit and excavation storage, will be installed on the land until the end of August. Any damaged caused to the open space, as a result of this work, will be rectified as soon as possible after leaving the site.

01st September The Alderman Jacobs Primary School https://www.aldermanjacobs.cambs.sch.uk/

Will combine with  The Soke Education Trust.
https://www.sokeeducationtrust.co.uk/

Any questions please contact Cllr Eamonn Dorling – eamonndorling@whittleseytowncouncil.gov.uk