Town centre strip club is refused
AMEDWAY-based businessman has been refused a licence to open a strip club and lap danc- ing venue in Maidstone town centre. Aaron Stone, whose company Century Buildings (Rochester) Ltd operates similar clubs in Rochester and Essex, had ap- plied to the council for a sexual entertainment licence for the upper floor of the old Loder & Payne shop in Bank Street. Despite assurances that the club would have extensive se-
curity, including door patrols and CCTV, the town’s licencing committee rejected the applica- tion, after reading more than 120 objections from businesses in the area and from residents. Maidstone Town Centre Man- agement was one of the first to object to the application, argu- ing that the centre of town, and a stone’s throw from the new Ju- bilee Square, was an inappro- priate location. But Steven Hutchins, opera- tions manager for the Aaron
Gymnast Courtney could be one to watch
Stone Group, and barrister Ed- mundWalters told the commit- tee they should not be swayed by moral concerns, and argued the project would bring em- ployment as well as entertain- ment to the town centre. A number of residents turned
up to air their views at the hear- ing, as well as Sir Tony Baldry, MPfor
Banbury.Acting as a bar- rister on behalf of some of the objectors, he said: “This is a de- cision about whether Maidstone wants a sexual entertainment
centre at its heart.” The policewithdrew their ob- jections to the application, hav- ing been given an assurance on adequate numbers of door staff, but the committee concluded that the locality, between Mill Street and the Chequers Mall, was inappropriate. Members concluded: “An
AGYMNAST from theBearsted-basedPegasus club is one of three British athletes shortlisted for Sports Aid’sOne-to-WatchAward, previouslywon by Olympic diver TomDaley. Courtney Tulloch (17), who beat more than 1,700
UKathletes to reach the final three,won goldmedals in the rings and men’s teamevents in the junior Euro- pean gymnastics championships this year. Hesaid: “Iamdelighted to havebeen nominated for
this award. I amlooking forward to hopefully compet- ing for Team GB in Australia at the Youth Olympics in January 2013, andmy goal is to compete at the sen- iorworld championships and Olympics. “To have support from SportsAid and British Gym-
nastics has meant I have been able to concentrate on my training while having the opportunity to compete forGreat Britain. I amvery grateful to everyone, espe- cially my personal coach Ionut Trandaburu, at Pega- sus Gymnastics Club and head coach Barrie Collie.”
TimPeake from British Gymnastics said: “Courtney
is a brilliant gymnast. When hewon gold at the Euro- pean championships it was our first medal for more than 20 years. He’s already up there with the senior men so he’s on track for [the Olympics in] 2016.” Judges are from the BBC, UK Sport, SportsAid and
Sport England. The winner of the One-to-Watch Award was due to be announced this month.
CHRISTMAS AT THE SALVATION ARMY
This Christmas please join us for the following services, to celebrate the joy of the season. For tickets (where applicable) or additional information please contact the Community Office on 01622 681808.
Tuesday 4th December Carols by Candlelight at 7.45pm.
Please join us for coffee & mince pies after the service. Sunday 9th December Advent Praise at 6.00pm
Friday 14th December Community Carol Concert at 7.30pm.
Tickets can be obtained from the Community Office at a cost of £5 (children under 15 Free). All proceeds from this event will be donated to a local charity.
Sunday 23rd December Carol Service at 6pm. Please join us for coffee & mince pies after the service.
Our usual Sunday services are held at 10.15am & 6pm throughout the year and you are guaranteed a warm welcome!
74-80 UNION STREET MAIDSTONE ME14 1ED 26 East
SEV of the type applied for would be inappropriate in a lo- cality at the heart of the town centre and of this character, be- cause the current use by fami- lies and people of all ages for all sorts of activity, including family-orientated, should be able to continue.” A decision was due to be an- nounced on an application to turn the former Ethos bar in Gabriels Hill into a lap dancing and striptease club – but this too would fall within the local- ity designated as unsuitable by the committee. The Players Coyote Bar in
Bank Street, which features fe- male dancers on the bar tops, was able to open without a sex entertainment licence as there is a strict code of no nudity. As the Downs Mail went to
press, building work had ceased on the Bank Street premises and Century Build- ings were considering whether or not to lodge an appeal against the council’s decision.
Christmas Dining The Friars, Aylesford Priory
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Pilgrims Hall, Aylesford Priory
Christmas Menu Available From £29.95pp
Book early to avoid disappointment 01622 714 110
Now offering Christmas lunches Available between 3rd-21st December From only £23.50pp
To book call 01622 717 272 The Friars, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BX
Tel 01622 717272 Email:
enquiry@thefriars.org.uk Limited by Guarantee Company No 3487590 Charity No 1068518
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
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