Detling on verge of losing its only store
DETLING’s post office and village store was due to close as Downs Mail went to press. The shop was expected to cease trading
on February 2 after owner Michael Tamsett failed to find a buyer, having placed it on the market for five years. In this time, he re- duced the asking price for the shop and residential premises from £412,000 to £365,000. Michael (56), who was made an MBE for services to the community eight years ago, thought he was on the verge of clinching a long-awaited sale before Christmas, but the deal collapsed when the buyer could only produce a £10,000 deposit – way below Michael’s expectation of £100,000. “I have given up hope,” Michael said.
“The business is done and dusted. There is an opportunity that the post office might open up in a different format; for example, in one of the adjoining cottages, but not as part of a village store in the way it always has been. That has finished.” Michael’s decision to close the store was
made for financial reasons. While the pres- ence of large supermarkets, such as Tesco
PLANS have been unveiled to build 30 new homes in Hollingbourne. Graham Norton, of Strategic Land
Kent, part of Wealden Homes Ltd, told the parish council that the company had taken an option on a 2.7-acre field opposite Godfrey House near the junc- tion of Eyhorne Street and Station Road. He said 12 of the proposed homes on
the site would be affordable, which is well above the parish’s housing needs
fine for big companies, but I have had to pay 12 weeks’ holiday to three part-time staff, and still have to cover for them when they are away. “Another example is through disposing
Michael Tamsett outside the post office, which he reluctantly decided to close
two miles away in Grove Green, have hit trade, changes in local and national govern- ment rules have made things even harder. He added: “The Post Office wants to keep
the facility going but the problem is that the business is unsustainable. “In 2009, the Government brought in leg- islation that means part-time workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ holiday pay. This is
Plan for 30 new homes in Hollingbourne
surveys that concluded a requirement of four. The proposed development would be
outside the present village envelope and would mean continuous develop- ment along Eyhorne Street from Cotu- ams House up to Hollingbourne School. Subject to further information from
Mr Norton, it was the parish council’s intention to consult with all local resi- dents before any decision to support or oppose the development is made.
rubbish. I used to take it to the tip every month but because Maidstone Council said I wasn’t allowed to do this, I now have to get a contract with a bin company, which costs another £40 a month. “The Post Office has been really good and supportive in wanting to keep the business going, but these additional factors chip at you after a while and I just can’t afford it.” Parish council vice-chairman Cllr John Clayton says it is trying to provide a solu- tion. He said: “Initially we thought about funding an add-on to the pub so somebody could run the post office. “But then Mike had an offer from a buyer
and we thought we would let time run its course. Sadly that time has run out.” “It would be a big, big loss to the village to
lose the shop and post office. A fallback op- tion could be to move the post office to the school, which is unoccupied.”
Boys’ give an 11-plus boost HOLLINGBOURNE County Primary School topped this year's 11-plus tables in the Maidstone area, with a 69% pass rate. The next highest was Roseacre primary in Bearsted, with 64%. The Kent average was 28%. Hollingbourne head Ralph Baldock said: “This
is down to a lot of hard work – and some very en- thusiastic children, particularly the boys. “Eight of the nine who passed to go to gram-
mar school were boys. It was their determination and enthusiasmbut, of course, the teachers have to foster it.”
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