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More on KentOnline
A vision to bring jobs and prosperity to the Island is being put together by a group of concerned residents.
Eco cottages, pop-up shops and a local currency have been suggested as ways of boosting Sheppey.
The concept was originally formed by Andrew Deeley, 44, who has lived here for the past 10 years.
He wakes up at 4.30am every Monday to make the 450-mile round trip to his commercial director job in South Wales to return late on Friday.
Realising lots of people leave the Island to work, he wondered why there were was not more employment here.
The father-of-three said: “We have the answers here on the Island, we have the intellect and the skills, we just need the green light to push ahead with one or more initiatives to prove that we can make a difference and that we can take responsibility for solving our own problems.”
The vision is broken down into four main aspects: Made, Sold, Stay and Work on Sheppey.
They are designed to boost manufacturing, attract a variety of retailers, reinvigorate tourism and create employment.
Retired Neil Clark, of Thistle Hill, Minster, is behind an idea to introduce a Sheppey pound, which could only be spent in Island shops and then exchanged for normal currency.
He said: “In Bristol [and Totnes] it works very well and the one advantage is that Sheppey has a defined boundary.”
Robert Gerrard, founder of technology solutions company Future Perfect, based in Minster, believes people could work from home providing support to businesses over the phone and internet.
Another concept is for environmentally friendly holiday apartments built into the earth.
The backing of local authorities, potential sponsors and the views of Islanders are now being sought.
Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson says he finds the plan “interesting” and hopes Swale council will consider the ideas carefully and use them to good effect.
