IT firm ‘may have to send work abroad’
THE managing director of a large software company in Maidstone says he will out- source work to eastern Europe after he was “warned” by Maidstone Council not to ex- pand. Giles Smith (36) says he discussed with the council his plans to create 100 new jobs at G- Forces in Caring Lane, near Thurnham. He said: “We met with the council’s chief executive, Alison Broom, and a planning of- ficer for a pre-application meeting to discuss the feasibility of expanding the business again and they were very supportive, butwe were warned that any further expansion was likely to be met with some resistance.” The business in Caring Lane, which pro-
duces internet software for the automotive industry, now says extra work will be out- sourced abroad. The company will also inform local schools that due to limited space it will no longer be able to provide placements for stu- dents from the end of this year. Mr Smith (pictured) said the company’s
Continued from page one KCC's country parks business
plans to expand the business in 2006, 2010 and 2012 had been metwith local opposition, but were eventually approved. “Our last expansion plan
took 18 months to get through, and cost £100,000 in consultants’ fees.We feel that with the potential for any fresh application to take even longer and cost, per- haps, a couple of hundred thousand, that money and time could be bet- ter invested sourcing outside of the UK, to suppliers we already have in Eastern Eu- rope.” “It goes against the grain, for someone born
and bred in Maidstone, but makes sense at this point in time.” Mr Smith, one of three brothers behind the business and a former pupil of Maidstone Grammar, said he was disappointed that it seemed the company could not rely on all- party support from the borough council to
expand, given the jobs that would be created in the area, and he haswritten to the council setting out what he sees as “the cost” to the local economy. “We have done everything to ensure we are virtually unseen here, and I would have hoped ttere would be greater political sup- port for what we are trying to achieve here in terms of work and for the local economy. “As a white collar company and Maid-
stone’s fastest growing business, we are just the kind of company that Maidstone says it is looking for.” Mr Smith said the company, which is ex- pected to turn over £15m this year, will re- direct its growth to its satellite offices in Coventry and Newcastle, where both coun- cils have been supportive. It also plans to open an office in Dubai.
G-Forces has scooped two topwebsiteawards from the automotive industry. The companywon prizes for producing the best mobile and best dealer websites at the Motor Trader Industry Awards.
Travellers leave mess at country park “Unfortunately we are faced
and operations manager, Clare Saunders said: “Initially we tried a diplomatic route to try to persuade the travellers to leave. However, there came a point where we had to consider ap- propriate legal action, but are pleased the situation was re- solved after issuing a formal di- rection to leave.
with a bill for the clean-up.” A resident of Thurnham, who
didn’t wish to be named, said: “At first we were told the cara- vanners would be made to leave. Instead, more arrived, along with dogs.” While relieved that the trav-
ellers were gone, the resident added: “What really winds me up is that they broke on to the
site. If it were you or I breaking the law, they’d be on us like a ton of bricks. “Why should travellers be
able to put themselves above the law and still acquire rights to stay when they are there ille- gally, and everyone else has to jump through hoops to get them moved? They should face the full weight of the law like everyone else.”
Footpath changes THE Planning Inspectoratewill hear the case for re-routing the footpaths (KH125 and KH130) next toWater Lane, Thurnham, at Sessions House, Maidstone, from 10am on December 11.
Bargain time BAG a bargain at Maidstone Mencap’s jumble sale at 3pm on Saturday, October 12, at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park (School Lane entrance).
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