CRIME and grime are not the only culprits responsible for Margate’s grubby state.
Landlords can take a huge slice of the blame cake as well.
Many buildings in the town’s central business district are rundown and in dire need of a facelift. Paint is peeling, ceilings are missing, gutters are hanging by a nail, lights don’t work and there is a proliferation of ugly shop signs (whatever happened to the municipality’s signage by-laws?).
The tenant mix comprises mostly of dingy shops owned by foreign nationals who sell cheap goods and fake branded clothing.
It is claimed that some shopowners cook and sleep in their stores.
Disgruntled members of the Margate Business Association recently called a meeting with Hibiscus Coast Municipality to voice their unhappiness at the sad state of the seaside resort.
The municipality has promised to fix the beach toilets and make every effort to clean up the CBD.
Owners of the eyesore buildings need to make the same promises.
Hibiscus Coast Municipality should make slumlords pay higher rates than those who take care of their buildings.
ends
