Cluster work underway in Dover
Dover Harbour Board is in the process of finalising its plans for a development of the Western Docks to cope with the increasing freight traffic to and from the continent of Europe. Apart from the freight/passenger terminal the Harbour Board realise that this is an opportunity to do something really special for Dover and is working with Marine South East to help develop proposals on how to integrate a marine cluster suitable for SMEs into the overall development.
By looking at other continental port development projects, Marine South East sees the opportunity in Western Dock as an opportunity to put in place a number of complementary development schemes.
Port cities are increasingly recognising that the port can be an asset for the city, acting as a magnet for investment. This effect can be maximised by bringing together a cluster of marine businesses in the area. There are several different marine markets served by Dover, and an investment plan should exploit this diverse maritime capability base. This would help to provide a long-term foundation to encourage greater inward investment and increased high-value employment.
In addition to port activities and their associated supply chains, the cluster could include:
Workshops for leisure marine maintenance and repair.
Retail outlets for chandlery.
Bars and restaurants overlooking the marina.
A public viewing gallery for port control.
A nautical museum.
Dover currently suffers from low-skilled employment and employees like many other cities along the South East coast. The strategy must stimulate investment in high-value employment to create the smart growth which is needed. To do this, a strategic investment plan must build on existing strengths:
Ferry and cruise port and their associated supply chains, with potential for increasing cruise-based tourism
Good location for leisure marine within a South East marina network (eg Sail South East), again with significant supply chain opportunities
Dover must attract high-skilled people to support high-value employment. An integrated investment plan must stimulate a diverse maritime capability and amenities to offer an attractive prospect for such personnel. Access to training will also be a part of the picture, utilising existing and planned training resources..
Strategic links with other key maritime cities in the South East will be important, particularly in terms of research and innovation.
The main objectives of the project will be:
Spreading prosperity through smart growth
Achieving and maintaining environmentally and socially sustainable prosperity
Making Dover a more attractive place to invest and work
Creating more and better jobs
Raising the level of start-up activity
Promoting Dovers unique cultural, heritage and landscape assets to develop the visitor economy linked to the conservation of a high quality environment
Supporting new enterprise through the creation of a wide variety of businesses
Developing brown-field sites and refurbishing existing stock to provide new and flexible employment space
Sustainable growth of a key port
If you would like to find out more about Marine South Easts involvement in this project contact Richard Barron in the MSE Kent office on 07882 007811 or email richard@marinesoutheast.co.uk
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