by Alex Claridge
aclaridge@thekmgroup.co.uk

TWO cafe owners from the King’s Mile have come out fighting on behalf of their area.
Terry Daniels and Victor Ojukwu were reacting to last week’s Gazette, in which it was revealed that there has been a spate of shop closures in the King’s Mile.

Mr Daniels has run Cafe 22 in Palace Street for two years and believes the area is thriving.
“I think the future is bright,” said the 46-year-old, who runs the cafe with partner Caz Dorman.
“We have found businesses to flourish and it has a really village atmosphere where everyone knows each other.
“Of course we are worried about the recession, but I would rather the council did more to promote the King’s Mile instead of Whitefriars, which is a bit plastic and soulless.”

Mr Ojukwu, 37, runs Dera’s Internet Cafe next to Cafe 22. It has been open for seven months.
He believes landlords could do more to encourage businesses in the King’s Mile, which includes Palace Street, Northgate, Orange Street, Guildhall Street and the Borough.
Mr Ojukwu, who runs another internet cafe in Margate, told the Gazette: “This is a decent area and that’s why I thought I would come to Canterbury.
“However, I think landlords here should be more flexible, especially when it comes to deposits.
“If they were lower, then it might encourage more budding entrepreneurs.
“Some people just can’t afford these six-month deposits.”

Dawn Hudd, the city council’s head of culture and enterprise, says the council does not promote Whitefriars at the expense of other parts of Canterbury.
She said: “A major successful Christmas marketing campaign was carried out in 2010 covering radio, bus backs, leaflets and digital media.
“The King’s Mile was mentioned specifically in the campaign.
“The few empty units do not reflect a decline.
“There are interesting newcomers, such as Jack Wills and Cath Kidston, that are demonstrating a certain level of confidence in the economic profile and future of the city in what everybody knows are difficult financial times.”

See this week's Gazette for full report and reaction.