Dover Business Forum, an alliance of the district’s biggest companies, is the brainchild of the Port of Dover.

The group has been created to work alongside Kent-wide business interests, including the district and county councils, to champion Dover’s commercial potential.

Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s chief executive, said: “Dover is a place to celebrate, to do business in and invest in.  The forum, with its 26 members to date, will tell the rest of the world the great news about the business and investment opportunities currently in Dover as well as those on the horizon.

“We need to focus on enhancing the skills, training and employment opportunities for the people who live here, and this is a core belief of the group.”

A survey of the forum, responded to by 16 members, shows it has a combined turnover in excess of £386m and an annual wage bill of more than £30m.

Those responding to the survey have collectively invested £399m in the district over the past five years. And further millions are earmarked for the district through the development of St James’s, Dover Western Docks Revival, Whitfield, Discovery Park and Betteshanger Sustainable Parks.

The survey also highlighted members’ views on the key issues facing Dover. Recruiting skilled employees is considered the biggest challenge, followed by roads and infrastructure and the overall perception of Dover.

Forum member, Dieter Jaenicke, chairman of Viking Recruitment, said: “With the survey showing that 26 per cent of those who responded are export-related businesses it demonstrates that Dover is a 360 degree economy and the group will play to the economic strengths of the area.

“It will promote the cause of companies involved in freight and logistics, maritime-related activities, food production, and manufacturing, as well as tourism, leisure and retail.”

The forum’s membership has adopted a strong local purchasing policy, with 25 per cent looking to source goods and services from Dover, and 44 per cent from across Kent. 

Cllr Paul Watkins, leader of Dover District Council, said: “We welcome the new group and look forward to working with it to attract investment, new jobs, and generate economic success, alongside our Invest in Dover team.  The forum is another demonstration of local partners working together to deliver a shared vision for Dover.”

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The EURO130billion (£100billion) a year route through Dover and Calais is so vital to the EU economy, the European Commission has announced funding to support major improvement projects on both sides of the Channel.

The UK’s slice of the investment will be ploughed into the Dover Western Docks Revival project, which is improving the efficiency of the ferry terminal as well as developing a logistics hub within the port.

In France, the cash will be used to bring forward the Calais Port 2015 project – a scheme to build a new harbour, terminal and berths to accommodate the bigger ferries and provide port capacity for future growth.

The two ports – which run the only identified core seaway connecting the UK with the rest of mainland Europe on the Trans-European Transport Network – have been working together to prepare for the growth in trade. The improvements are part of the BRIDGE (Building the Resilience of International and Dependent Gateways in Europe) project.

In the past two years, ferry freight traffic through Dover and Calais has increased by 20 per cent. And that’s expected to rise by a further 40 per cent by 2030.

The latest award comes on top of an earlier EU grant of €14million (£10.2million) in 2014.

Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s chief executive, said: “This funding shows how hard we are working on a number of levels to bring investment into Dover and to address the challenges of a growing EU trade route on our community. 

“It also reflects the importance to the UK, France and Europe of the Dover Western Docks Revival for both national and European economies.

“Both Dover and Calais will use this money to ensure traffic passes through our ports smoothly and efficiently both now and in the future.” 

Jean-Marc Puissesseau, president of the Port of Boulogne-Calais, said: “We thank the European Union for its support of the Calais-Dover maritime link. The EU is fully playing its role in ensuring that critical infrastructures are updated to face future challenges.

“Thanks to this support, projects such as Calais Port 2015 and the Dover Western Docks Revival will become a reality and will contribute directly towards the greater and more effective European integration we are looking for.”

Daniel Percheron, president, Regional Council, Nord Pas de Calais, said: “This European funding is really good news for Calais, for the Region Nord Pas de Calais, and for France and Europe.

“The Calais Port 2015 project will greatly contribute to strengthening the link between Dover and Calais and is necessary for the port to meet the growing traffic expected in coming years.

“It will also create more than 2,000 jobs during the construction period and hundreds more will result in the long term. Calais Port 2015 will help enable the Region Nord Pas de Calais to become one of the main logistics platforms of Northern Europe.”

Brian Simpson, European coordinator, Motorways of the Sea, said:

“I am delighted the Motorways of the Seas project is contributing towards the regeneration of Dover Western Docks. I think it will bring about a new chance for Dover and also enable the port to go into the next decade confident that business will grow and that it will keep on being the success story it has been so far. And I am happy that we are contributing and being a part of that success story.”

The sole responsibility of this publication lies with the author. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The sole responsibility of this publication lies with the author. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Notes to Editors

Further information on the BRIDGE EU funding announcement, the BRIDGE project, INEA (Innovation and Networks Executive Agency that monitors the project on behalf of the EU) and the Trans-European Transport Network can be found here: http://inea.ec.europa.eu/en/news__events/newsroom/eu-to-support-better-sea-connections-across-the-dover-strait.htm

For further information on the Port of Dover, visit: www.doverport.co.uk

For further information on the Port of Calais, visit: www.calais-port.fr

For further information on the Regional Council Nord-Pas de Calais, visit: http://www.nordpasdecalais.fr/jcms/c_5001/accueil

The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, with support and funding from the Port of Dover, is running a marine litter survey and clean-up at Shakespeare Beach on Sunday, September 20, as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) national Great British Beach Clean.

Findings from the survey will be added to data from hundreds of others – taking place across the country during the same weekend. This information will then be used by the MCS to target and tackle the main sources of litter at both national and international levels. 

Last year’s Great British Beach Clean had 77 volunteers cleaning Dover’s beach, where an impressive 248kg of rubbish, containing 9,308 separate items of litter – mainly plastics – were removed as part of the national campaign.

This year, volunteers are being asked to head to Shakespeare Beach between 10am and 1pm, meeting at the gate off Lord Warden Square. 

Vicki Jago, the Port of Dover’s environmental manager, said:

“The beach clean is a good fun event for all the family. Even if you can spare just a couple of hours, please come and make our beach a more enjoyable habitat not only for ourselves but also for our wildlife.  It is a great way to work up an appetite for your Sunday lunch and trophies will be awarded for the most litter picked and the most unusual piece of litter found.

”Litter pickers, bags and gloves will be available on the day, but if you have your own set of gardening gloves they would be useful.

”We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support.”

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Notes to Editors:

• The port handles 13 million passengers, 2.5 million freight vehicles and £100 billion of UK/European trade.
• The port supports 22,000 jobs, many of which are in the local community.
• It has a shared vision to protect and enhance short and long term port capacity for the nation while delivering the catalyst for the regeneration of Dover.

Following widespread initial support, the Port of Dover had committed a massive £120 million to the scheme in order to create a new cargo and distribution facility, as well as a fantastic community leisure space.

The project will attract investment into the town, provide quality employment opportunities for local people, and transform the waterfront with a new marina, piazza and more public access, says the port.

But at a meeting of Dover’s Port and Community Forum on Tuesday, chief executive Tim Waggott told members his team hadn’t expected the amount of negativity surrounding the start of the construction phase.

His candid admission prompted a spontaneous surge of support from community leaders.

County and town councillor Gordon Cowan said: “I stand 100 per cent side by side with you. This project is vital for Dover. This is what we’ve been waiting for, for decades. It will bring the economy alive. It will bring regeneration to our community.”

Mick Tedder, an independent elected representative on the forum, said:  “You have to ask those who are against this ‘What’s the alternative?’ The alternative is to do nothing.”

The district council’s Tim Ingleton said he believes that, combined with the St James’s Development, the Western Docks Revival would help Dover rival Southampton and Portsmouth.

And district council leader Paul Watkins stressed the objections did not relate to the project – which already has Government and planning approval – but to “technicalities of listed building consent” surrounding the port’s proposals to remove and restore historical fittings on Prince of Wales Pier.

After the meeting, Mr Waggott said: “In recent weeks it’s felt like we’ve been kicked in the teeth.

“The objections we had seriously took us aback. It’s as though a vocal minority genuinely wants us to do nothing with this largely derelict site rather than create something that will benefit Dover for generations to come.

“The response from the Port and Community Forum, however, has been incredible and we really appreciate it.  I certainly didn’t expect a round of applause!

“As far as the Port of Dover is concerned, it’s now full steam ahead with this crucial piece of dock redevelopment.”

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Notes to Editors

The Port and Community Forum includes a broad representative cross-section of the local community, including councils, residents associations, heritage groups and local business.

Issued by Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext. 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00)

Organisers were so impressed by the response from thousands of residents who headed to the waterfront for 12 solid hours of free fun on Sunday (August 30), they’re already planning next year’s spectacular.

The event, which was reintroduced three years ago, has consistently drawn crowds from across the town. But this year’s exceeded all expectations, says the Port of Dover.

A packed programme of RNLI and Coastguard air and sea demonstrations, a breathtaking display from the Blades aerobatic team, the Dover Port Dash charity tournament and a spectacular fireworks finale proved a real crowd-puller.

And the world’s biggest wooden sailing ship Gotheborg reported it had welcomed well over 2,000 visitors aboard on the day.

Tim Waggott, the port’s chief executive, said: “What a fantastic day for Dover.  We promised bigger and better and that’s what Dover got.  Having had to move the date back to the August bank holiday, I hope that it was worth the wait.  Looking at the crowds, I believe that it was.

“The Port of Dover Community Regatta doesn’t have the word ‘community’ in the title for no reason.  I lost count of the number of people I saw embracing their friends and relatives.  It was truly the place to be together.  Seeing the whole seafront buzzing with fantastic stalls and great things to do and explore was an amazing vision of what this place could be like when we build its new waterfront.

“I’m immensely grateful to everyone who made the regatta possible; Dover District Community Safety Partnership, Dover Town Council, Cullins Yard, Dover Sea Sports Centre, Royal Cinque Ports Yact Club and not forgetting my own team who are already planning next year’s event.”

The date for the 2016 Dover Community Regatta will be announced later.

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Notes to Editors

• Image number 4 is credited to Vincent Catt

The Port of Dover Community Regatta will feature free entry, courtesy of the Port, onto the world’s largest sea-going wooden ship, the Gotheborg, being brought to Dover especially for the Regatta.

Enjoy the arena displays by the emergency services organised by the Dover District Community Safety Partnership and explore the wide range of food, community and craft stalls along the seafront.

Nadeem Aziz, Chairman of the Dover District Community Safety Partnership and Chief Executive of Dover District Council said: “The Port of Dover Community Regatta promises to be a great day out for the family, and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the range of great work carried out by the Community Safety Partnership.”

A regatta is not a regatta without activities on the water, so cheer on the teams competing in the Port-sponsored Dover Port Dash, raising money for two local charities, the RNLI and Emmaus.

Why not get out onto the water yourself and try the free water activities courtesy of Dover Sea Sports Centre and the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club.

This year, following the return of the spectacular Blades aerobatic display team to round off the day, the event stretches into the evening with entertainment on stage and along the promenade organised in association with Dover Town Council.

Town Mayor of Dover, Cllr Chris Precious, said, “ Dover Town Council are delighted to provide the evening’s entertainment for this centuries old Dover tradition, uniting town and harbour in a celebration of the past, present and future.”

To round off our extended event, the Regatta finishes with a fantastic firework display over the harbour, kindly sponsored by local restaurant Cullins Yard.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “Together with all of our partners, we look forward to welcoming our community and visitors for a fantastic family day out. Wishing you all a great time on our fabulous seafront. See you there!”

The free family fun event takes place on Dover seafront on Sunday 30th August.

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