logo
English coastal town reveals plans to become popular tourist destination with £10.4million attraction revamp

English coastal town reveals plans to become popular tourist destination with £10.4million attraction revamp

Scottish Sun25-04-2025
There's already some major multi-million pound building projects that have taken place
CASH INJECTION English coastal town reveals plans to become popular tourist destination with £10.4million attraction revamp
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN English coastal town has revealed plans to become a popular tourist destination.
£10.4million will be ploughed into the seaside location to give it a huge revamp and attract more people.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
Developers have teamed up with the District Council in Dover to revamp the area
Credit: Alamy
6
The public body wants to increase tourism and investment in the town
Credit: Alamy
Dover District Council plans to "boost regeneration and economic growth" and the body has teamed up with private contractors.
It has also decided to collaborate with developers to reinvigorate the area and make it "a place to live, work, visit, learn and invest".
The body has partnered up with Willmott Dixon and Milligan, as they seek to improve public areas.
Together, the companies intend to increase living areas in the town centre whilst bringing together developments that are for mixed-use.
It will also include a potential public sector hub in the centre of town which will provide health and public services to those living there.
This comes as the historic town hall - called Maison Dieu - is set to reopen following a huge £10.4million restoration.
There is also ongoing construction at a number of sites across the town which includes The Bench Building.
The huge revamp is set to make the property a centre for business, education and for creatives in the area.
Ongoing construction in the town also includes the new-look Market Square.
Nadeem Aziz - who is the Chief Executive of Dover District Council - explained the work will help Dover "realise its full potential as a thriving town centre".
The Dorset Hamlet of Seatown is Overlooked by Brits
He explained: "We know how much potential Dover town centre has and we're already seeing this with projects such as the Maison Dieu and The Bench building.
"But there is so much more it has to offer and this work will help realise its full potential to create a thriving town centre.
"Our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and blending public and private sector investment will create a transformational masterplan to benefit the community."
The developers also gushed about the upcoming projects as they praised the potential opportunities the town will offer.
Stuart Harris is chief executive at Milligan and he exclaimed: "Dover's assets, like its coastline, history, and connectivity, make it a prime location for transformation.
"Working collaboratively with the council and local stakeholders, we will help shape its next chapter."
6
6
Over £10million will be ploughed into the area
Credit: Alamy
6
The chief executive of the council wants the town to 'realise its full potential'
Credit: Alamy
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Santorini's quieter side boasting beautiful beaches without hordes of tourists
Santorini's quieter side boasting beautiful beaches without hordes of tourists

Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Santorini's quieter side boasting beautiful beaches without hordes of tourists

Santorini has become a firm favourite with Brits looking for picture-perfect Greece holidays in recent years but its popularity also means it can be full of crowds With its white-washed, blue domed buildings, Santorini has become one of those destinations that you've no doubt seen all over your social media feeds. ‌ The island's beauty has led to an influx of visitors flocking to the island every summer. The result has been crowds of tourists queueing to get to some of the best viewpoints, restaurants being crowded and prices being hiked up as peak holiday season hits. ‌ However, the good news is that there is an easy way to explore the island and take in the views without the crowds, not to mention it gives you access to some of the quieter beaches and spots that can't easily be reached by other visitors. ‌ According to recent data from SamBoat, bookings for boat trips rose by 75% last year, with increasing numbers of Brits opting for a day at sea as part of their holidays. When you consider that it can offer spectacular views of a destination without jostling through crowds, the appeal is very quickly apparent. In fact, it's why a boat trip could be the answer for exploring Santorini without having to face hordes of tourists. The SamBoat experts explained: "Santorini's postcard-perfect villages are stunning from land but even more magical from the sea. A boat trip from Ammoudi Bay or Vlychada lets you uncover the island's quieter side, with hidden hot springs, unspoiled swimming spots, and peaceful black-sand beaches like Mesa Pigadia and White Beach. For a romantic day at sea or a group celebration, a motorboat or small catamaran is an unforgettable way to soak up the caldera views." One writer recently headed to Santorini and was surprised to find a dreamy part of the island just 10 minutes away from the capital. It wasn't full of tourists, even though she visited in July during the height of the summer holidays season. "The dreamy images of Santorini that most people conjure up are likely of Oia or Fira, the island's capital," wrote Angela Patrone. "As my friends and I began planning our trip, we discovered how these two locations were often bustling with tourists. To escape the flurry of tourists, we opted to stay in two lesser-known towns, both brimming with charm and beauty." Instead, they headed to Vothonas and Perissa, which she said "turned out to be a brilliant decision", as they rented a car and could easily reach most areas of the island. She added: "Vothonas, a mere 10 minutes from Fira, is a charming traditional Greek village with hardly any tourists. If you're seeking a tranquil and relaxing holiday setting, this is the place to be. The village is nestled in a picturesque ravine and features traditional houses carved into rocks. A leisurely walk around the paved lanes reveals white-domed churches and traditional homes."

Lesser-known Canary Island has crystal-clear waters and almost no tourists
Lesser-known Canary Island has crystal-clear waters and almost no tourists

Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Lesser-known Canary Island has crystal-clear waters and almost no tourists

Most people know the larger Canary Islands such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura but there's one island that's well worth adding on your radar The Canary Islands have been firm favourites with Brits for years when it comes to holidays full of sun, sea and sand. The larger islands like Tenerife and Lanzarote are famed for their bustling resorts and beautiful beaches, but that does mean they often have large crowds of tourists in peak seasons. ‌ However, there's one lesser-known Canary Island that not only boasts breathtaking landscapes and crystal-clear waters, but as it's a little more remote it has almost no tourists. ‌ El Hierro is so breathtaking that the entire island has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve thanks to the lush forests, volcanic landscapes, pine trees and windswept cliffs that make up the scenery. It's a popular spot with divers who are drawn to its crystalline waters full of a wide array of marine life, not to mention the waters are so clear that on a clear day you can see up to 30 metres deep. According to the Canaries' tourism officials, it's "one of the best places on the planet for scuba diving". ‌ It's worth noting that El Hierro doesn't have many beaches, but wild swimming fans can get their fill thanks to the various natural pools with their postcard-worthy blue waters. Charco Azul, aptly nicknamed the 'blue pond' never fails to wow visitors with its turquoise waters, tucked away at the base of a volcanic cliff. The island's small size means that it can be easily be explored on a hike, with trails taking you along the best of the scenery from pine forests to the coast. One of the highlights is the Camino de Jinama, an ancient route that used to serve the local inhabitants. It's only about three kilometres long but is well worth the stroll (although there are a few steep parts), if only for the incredible views it offers of El Hierro. You won't find a plethora of clubs, bars and hotels here; instead, the vibe is more around eco-hotels and boutique offerings, with a real push for sustainability. There are a handful of hotels and stays, but the good news is that they cater to a wide array of budgets. If you want to explore but also want a bit of that classic beach and party atmosphere associated with the Canaries, there are plenty of flights from Tenerife and Gran Canaria if you want to make it part of a wider itinerary. It's definitely a spot for intrepid explorers who prefer to go off the beaten track, whether that's diving in La Restinga Marine Reserve or spending a night stargazing from the beautiful Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. You won't be jostling with other tourists to make the most of the beautiful spots either. According to a study from BookRetreats, El Hierro is one of Europe's least crowded islands with just 610 overnight stays per km²; a stark contrast to Tenerife's 16,873.

Rachel Reeves's self-defeating attack on British racing
Rachel Reeves's self-defeating attack on British racing

Spectator

time4 hours ago

  • Spectator

Rachel Reeves's self-defeating attack on British racing

Few British traditions can claim as long a history as racing. The first races thought to have taken place in these islands were organised by Roman soldiers encamped in Yorkshire, pitting English horses against Arabian. By the 900s, King Athelstan was placing an export ban on English horses due to their superiority over their continental equivalents. The first recorded race meeting took place under Henry II in Smithfield as part of the annual Bartholomew Fair. Nearly 1,000 years later, racing remains the nation's second most popular spectator sport. Five million people attend more than 1,400 meets throughout the year. The industry is estimated to be worth more than £4 billion, contributing around £300 million to the Exchequer, and supports some 80,000 jobs. No activity better unites Benjamin Disraeli's 'two nations'. Royal Ascot, the Derby and the Grand National are cornerstones of the sporting calendar. Britain still produces many of the world's finest horses, jockeys and races. More than 600 million people across 140 countries tune in to the National each year; in this country alone, around 13 million people, a quarter of adults, bet on it. Britain's racing success is something to be proud of, which naturally means that Rachel Reeves has decided to go after it. The Treasury is proposing to increase the 15 per cent tax on bookmaker profits to 21 per cent – the same levy faced by online slot games and casinos. The British Horseracing Authority predicts the rate hike would cause a £330 million loss of revenue in its first five years, and put more than 2,500 jobs at risk in the first year alone. In response to the proposal, the BHA has called a strike for 10 September – the first in the industry's history. Rather than racing, jockeys, owners and trainers will decamp to Westminster to lobby MPs. The industrial action is expected to cost around £700,000. Many senior figures in the world of racing fear that increased costs for operators would mean less money available for promoting the sport. Worse odds would be offered to customers, making bookmakers less competitive compared with black market sites, which are now more easily accessible than ever thanks to the large increase in Virtual Private Network downloads by people trying to circumvent the Online Safety Act. Reduced turnover means reduced profits for bookmakers, 10 per cent of which are paid to a levy designed to support the sport through prize money, veterinary research and equine welfare. Even before the Treasury's planned hike, the recent introduction of more stringent affordability checks on online gambling means that turnover is down and fewer thoroughbreds are being bred. British racing is falling behind as owners, riders and horses decamp abroad to wealthier competitions. This leaves the long-term sustainability of British racing under threat. The Chancellor's latest attempt to find a few pennies down the back of the Treasury sofa would repeat the error of last year's inheritance tax raid on farmers and the imposition of VAT on private schools. It is a mean-spirited and self-defeating assault on a part of the country's history and way of life that the Labour party does not seek to understand. If racing unites the upper and lower classes, it is uniquely vulnerable to stigmatisation by the middle-class prudes found so dis-proportionately among our governing lanyard class. Of course, many Labour MPs are enthusiastic supporters of racing – 23 represent racecourse constituencies. But any attempt to squeeze the industry until the pips squeak is representative of a Treasury mentality that knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing. Taxing bookmaking at the same rate as online gambling draws a false equivalence between the two that ignores their fundamental differences. A punter at a race might enjoy six or seven bets in a day at most; an enthusiastic online gambler could place that number in a minute. Betting on racing requires research and skill (incidentally, The Spectator's own racing tipster, Penworthy, has had an excellent year). In contrast, online casinos are the gambling equivalent of Pac-Man, colourful distractions designed to be played on a loop. That is why online gambling and gaming make up the overwhelming majority of gambling addiction cases. In its zeal for protecting the vulnerable, the Gambling Commission, supported by the Treasury, could strangle the life out of the industry it regulates. In her quest to make her sums add up, Reeves may embark on another experiment which costs more than it raises. Reeves and the Treasury should recognise that next month's strike is an extraordinary protest from an industry facing an existential threat. Rather than breaking with the tradition of treating bookmaking differently to online gambling, the government should extend the industry support, through direct grants or a reformed betting levy. Yet with each day bringing rumours of the Treasury eyeing potential targets, the odds of the Chancellor putting the turf's future before her spreadsheets seem slim. Who would be willing to bet on it?

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store