News
Shopping village ‘will keep customers local’
THE company behind the proposed redevelopment of Newnham Court Shopping Centre says the scheme will keep trade in Maidstone. Critics say Land Securities’ plan-
ning application to create a Wait- rose, Debenhams, rebuilt Notcutts and 17 retail units off M20 Junction 7 would, if accepted, badly harm the town centre. But ChrisWard, director at Land Securities, said: “By 2018 Bluewater is expected to lure £216m worth of consumer spending from the local area – some of that money could otherwise have been spent in Maid- stone’s shops. “An expanded Newnham Court Shopping Centre will ‘claw back’ £13.2m of this ‘leakage’. Mod- ernising Newnham Court Shop- pingVillage will not prevent strong retail growth in the town centre, but a failure to invest will seeMaid- stone lose out to massive develop- ments planned at Bluewater, Ashford and at other shopping
Standards up
MYSTERYshoppers will be making tougher demands on leisure centres in the area when they visit. Tonbridge and Malling Council’s
leisure and arts advisory board has agreed to set a “pass rate” above the industry norm to drive improve- ments, after high scores – averaging 85% – were recorded at indoor fa- cilities over the last few years. The mystery shopper visits previ-
ously demanded a 60% pass rate for cleanliness, maintenance, customer care and supervision. Now, indoor facilities will need to achieve a score of 82% – up on the industry mean of 73%. The council will carry out two vis-
its a year to Larkfield Leisure Cen- tre, the Angel Centre and Tonbridge Pool.
Bluebell walk
JOIN the Heart of Kent Hospice for its 27th Bluebell Walk – a six-mile circular route through the heart of Kent’s beautiful countryside when the bluebells should be at their best. The walk on May 4 starts at Har- rietsham village hall and entry costs £10 per adult, £3 per child or £25 for a family of two adults and three children.Aploughman’s lunch is in- cluded. There will also be a cake, craft and fruit stalls. Parking is free. Walkers can register at
www.hokh.org, by emailing
fundraising@hokh.co.uk or calling 01622 790195. Registrations will be accepted on the day, and walkers can sign in from 9am.
30 Malling March 2014 Town ‘not option’
DEBENHAMS says it decided against moving into town centre shopping centre The Mall because it was “not a viable opportunity”. Robert Hadfield, director of
property, said in an open letter that the company had “investi- gated a number of sites in and around the town centre, none of which were sustainable for our business”. He insists this decision was made “prior to any discus- sions on Newnham Court”.
hotspots around the county.” Within the next decade Bluewa-
ter is set to grow by 20%, while McArthur Glen wants to nearly double its Ashford Designer Outlet. Retail facilities are likely to be ex-
panded at Tonbridge and Tun- bridge Wells, while a large invest- ment scheme is planned at Kingsmead in Canterbury. MrWard added: “Neighbouring
towns are investing in better shop- ping facilities and more choice. Maidstone needs to grab invest- ment opportunities now or face a period of gradual decline for the re- tail sector in the county town.” Land Securities says it would in- troduce a legally binding “no poaching” commitment. “We have undertaken not to allow any re- tailer which is already present in Maidstone town centre to occupy space at Newnham Court,” Mr Ward said. “The only exceptions will be where the retailer intends to open a second store in the town [at Newnham Court] and to keep its existing store open.”
Charity needs drivers
DEMAND for help with transport from frail residents in Malling and Maid- stone has led to a call for volunteer drivers. Voluntary Action Maidstone’s transport scheme has become increas-
ingly important for those needing a lift to appointments at Maidstone and Tonbridge Wells Hospital, to make social visits and for shopping. Manager Danny Hewis said: “Our
drivers are a life-line to so many peo- ple who would otherwise remain in their homes and not access services. This project helps to reclaim inde- pendence.” Drivers, who agree to collect and
wait up to an hour before taking clients home, have their mileage covered as part of the scheme. If you have a car and some free
time and live inMalling or Maidstone and would like to help older people and those with mobility issues, call 01622 756 662 or email
amanda.wilkinson@vam-online.org.uk or
tracey.jones@
vam-online.org.uk.
Show garden for hospice
GARDENERS with plots to be proud of are being asked to open them up to the public to help raise funds for Heart of Kent Hospice. The hospice, in Aylesford, is launching its first ever open garden scheme later in the year and is ap- pealing for people who would be happy to show off their blossoming beds and herbaceous borders to neighbours, friends and the public – or maybe hold a garden party. The scheme will run throughout
the spring and summer and the hospice is looking for anyone with an interesting garden who would
like to get involved. Vicki Morrey, chief executive,
said: “It is awonderful opportunity to showcase the glory of your gar- den to neighbours, friends or the public, whilst at the same time rais- ing funds for the hospice.” Participants can choose to open
their gardens on any date that suits over the spring and summer. Anyone interested can call the hospice fundraising team on 01622 790195 or email them at fundrais-
ing@hokh.co.uk. Heart of Kent Hospice specialises in providing palliative care.
Ollie Lawrence in action against Darryl Davidson
Boxer Ollie
closer to title MAIDSTONE light-middleweight Ollie Lawrence has taken a large step towards national title glory in the UK’s Queensbury Boxing League. The undefeated 21-year-old,
from Allington, produced a mes- merising display of ring skills dur- ing a close-fought four-round points victory over Northampton’s Darryl Davidson. Speaking after the fight, Ollie,
who started out as a junior for Maidstone Amateur Boxing Club, described the contest as his tough- est yet. He said: “I take my hat off to Darryl Davidson, he has my ut- most respect.” The event took place at Copthorne Hotel, Effingham,West Sussex. He will challenge for the national title at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey in April.
Family tribute
to crash victim AYOUNGaccountant who took up a job in Maidstone last spring has been killed in a crash on the M20. His devastated
family this week paid tribute to David Fowler (30), who worked for Mackenzies Ac- countants, in Rom- ney Place. Hewas killed on London-
the
bound carriageway of the M20 near Hollingbourne at 9.20pm on Febru- ary 15, when his Ford Focus over- turned and hit trees. It is thought the accident hap-
pened after he steered to avoid a sta- tionary red Ford Focus that had hit the barrier on the central reservation. Astatement from his family said:
“It is still so difficult to comprehend the reality of what has happened, but we have been comforted so much by the wonderful tributes made by his many friends, and to know that hewas so loved, and also the heartfelt messages of sympathy thatwe have received.” They described him as “generous
and full of life”. Witnesses are asked to call Kent Police on 01622 798538.
downsmail.co.uk
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