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My Open Letter to Chichester’s Mayor

I’ve just sent an ‘Open Letter’ addressed to the Mayor for publication in this week’s Chichester Observer.

Here’s why.

Having taken time out to reflect on the decision made by the Council regarding the modernisation of our Chichester Butter Market, having studied the process that led to that decision, and having listened to the feedback from our local tax payers, producers and consumers alike, I now feel that it would be a great shame not to ask whether the “Full Council” would have made the same decision. Given the amount of negative feeling expressed to our team about the current plans for this prestigious building, I must assume that the full Council would be more truly representative of the broader taxpaying public in Chichester.

This is why I’m asking local residents to express their views in writing to the paper - and as comments on the blog here - during the coming weeks,. This will help us to gauge what local taxpayers truly want to see. Do they want their building restored as a local trading centre for a wide range of local produce and so protect 200 years of history, as well as its existing tenants? Or, by way of contrast, do they want to see the building used as a simple shell for modern retailers to use when occupancy rates for such retail space is in severe decline?

Based on the conversations I have been having throughout the city and its surrounding area, I believe that the majority of taxpayers are not in favour of the current decision. So, I call upon the Mayor to support a special resolution seeking to have the decision reviewed by the full council. This will allow them the time to reflect on the true majority of taxpayer views and, I hope, lead to the recent decision being overturned.

Of course, I realise that my perception may be wrong about the level of support for our own plan, which was designed to deliver broader stability to our rural economy. What I am still certain of, however, is that our plan would see this historic site restored to its former glory as the beating heart of our city. The result? Local producers, local consumers, and local taxpayers all benefit.

Do you agree? Please let me know. Let the Observer know. Above all, let the council know.

You can download a pdf copy of my Open Letter to Mayor or read it on-line here. The Observer is on-line here.