The NEW Martial Arts Studio Whitstable, England -

[tmd]

Hi All; some of you may recall a few months back I mentioned that I was, along with my wife and Sensei looking to open up a full time dojo.

Well, after 9 months of wrangling with the local council we have, finally received permission to change the unit from an industrial facility to a DOJO.

Actually the last use (2 years ago now) was as an illegal drugs factory which got raided and smashed to pieces by the police so we have a LOT of work to do but we have at least cleared the first hurdle.

I know there are others thinking about opening up a dojo and so I will keep this thread up to date with all the future steps, rough, smooth challenging and rewarding.

I didn't start this 9 months ago as if we had not received planing it would have been a painful reminded of a lost dream but now I have the change of use I am happy to share with others the process I went through, presentations I prepared, arguments I put up against the various objections put up by residents etc.

Since we got the official confirmation I have been in a bit of a daze of whoop whoop fantastic news lets get it on / OMG!!! What have I started!!!!! updates to follow....

[GJEC]

Fantastic news TMD

Looking forward to reading your reports and visiting in the future.

Gary

[MMX]

Sounds great! I will have to check it out sometime if I make it across the pond.

[hokuto12]

Osu good luck in the new adventure TMD

[senshido]

tmd, amazing news, post some pictures if you get a chance please

[tmd]

Update on the progress over the last 5 months:

NONE! Not for want of trying and not for not spending time and money on the project but just the continual unwillingness of TESCO'S to do the tiny bits on their side that they have to. This has been a massive frustration and I have to say waste of primarily mt time doing stuff they should but didn't.

Anyway, not one to take my eye of the prize or stand still when good idea's need following through a couple of weeks of found an alternative location.

I don't want to get too excited about it right now as we have to go through planing again, but let's just say we are extremely hopeful that 12 months later than planned we will see our hard work trying turn to open a martial arts studio the hard work of running a martial arts studio!

Will keep you posted!

[senshido]

good luck with this one

[evergrey]

OSU, I really hope it works out for you this time!

[hokuto12]

Osu Tmd I hope it works out for you.

[MMX]

I am sure it will work out TMD.