We live in a magical place. With a population of only 4,500 – 5,000, Rye has a diversity that most other, much larger, towns crave. Of course, much of this comes from the large number of visitors that swell the population considerably, but residents also get the benefit. We have an enormous hospitality sector, multiple entertainment venues and just about manage to hang on to local shopping services. Businesses complete the unique mix, not just tourist-oriented but also commercial enterprises in town and down Rye Harbour Road.
Where would we be without the Kino, library, leisure centre and railway station? Would the town be diminished without the cultural and entertainment programmes it currently offers? And what about basics, like food … do we want a town without independent food shops within walking distance for most of us?
Of course, we have a wide mix of residents, all with different needs, and the town must cater for us all. There are huge challenges in the areas of cost of living and affordable housing which are very difficult to address locally, and we are lucky to have voluntary organisations, such as the Food Bank, helping to address some of these challenges.
But … Can we ensure that this extraordinarily wide range of facilities will be in place for the long term? In the end, only if we use them. We cannot rely on visitors alone to keep us going. Of course, occasions such as the Scallop, Jazz, Arts and Bonfire events drive activity, but it is the day-to-day use of our towns services that must be retained.
And … change is coming. You will have seen in last week’s edition the news that planning permission has been submitted for an Aldi development off Winchelsea Road. There are rumours that the lease on the Rye Creative Centre may come to an end. We have already lost the Brewery Yard Club. The Creative Centre offers high quality creative spaces and a top-class, and arguably underutilised, performance venue … surely, we can manage to walk across the bridge (or park in their extensive car park) and attend their wide range of events. It is good to hear that the Leisure Centre is now being extensively used and is also now offering activities for younger Ryers … great news and essential if we are to retain it!! But what might be the effect of an Aldi on our current local businesses? Obviously, a budget supermarket can bring benefits, but we all need to take steps to make sure that other shops not only survive but thrive, otherwise we will be living in a diminished environment with the potential of more traffic and less local produce.
Rye needs leadership to make sure that these big issues are thought about, discussed and decisions taken in the best long-term interests of the town. Much needed development of unused spaces must support these goals, while retaining a balance in the town of services, business and tourism. And while it is up to us to use the services the town offers, it is also to be hoped that the town council, Rother and developers can come together and create the plans that Rye residents need to keep our town magical.
Image Credits: Jim Linwood CC , Paul Harrop / Aldi sunrise, Hessle / CC BY-SA 2.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aldi_sunrise,_Hessle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1116043.jpg Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0 .
Interesting to see you say how lucky we are to have a food bank but say we must think carefully about a budget super market because it could be at the detriment of local businesses.
Surely a budget super market would relieve some of the pressure off of a food bank.
Those in Rye who use the few local businesses at the moment will probably continue to use them when an Aldi is built, I know I’ll still continue with my limited use.