South July 2015

downsmail.co.uk

News Town fire:man charged

A 21-YEAR OLD Slovakian man has appeared in court charged with causing a devastating fire inMaidstone town centre. Part ofWeek Street was cordoned off for eight days after the fire,

which totally destroyed TheWorks bookshop and severely damaged the neighbouring properties of Hotter Shoes and Thomson travel agent. Other stores on the stretch

from Marks & Spencer to the High Street were affected by the road closure, with a police cordon preventing access. Detectives investigating the

fire arrested Adam Stajer of Lower Stone Street, and he appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court. He was remanded in custody to appear beforeMaidstone Crown Court this month. Police enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers are appealing to members of the public for information. They are also working to establish any potential links with a series of car fires in the Buckland Road and Somerfield Road area of the town earlier the same morning. Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01732 379285. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

Retirement homes planned

NEWretirement homes could enable more of Maidstone’s senior cit- izens to stay close to the shops and community. Retirement home builder McCarthy and Stone has acquired an in-

terest in land at Chaucer House in Knightrider Street and is propos- ing to redevelop the site with retirement living accommodation. A community consultation programme has been launched and feedback will be incorporated into the final plan prior to the sub- mission of a planning application. Aspokesperson for McCarthy and Stone said:“We are committed

to engaging with the local community and will be offering residents the opportunity to meet with the project team to discuss the early proposals in the comingweeks. This will ensure residents and stake- holders can view and comment on the proposed plans and allow local people to speak with the team and provide feedback.”

Business hub THE enterprise hub due to open in Maidstone town centre this summer will be called The Business Terrace. Work continues on converting the

first floor terrace of Maidstone Gate- way, in King Street, into a space for start-up and small businesses. Due to open by the end of July,

The Business Terrace will provide small businesses of up to nine em- ployees with eight offices, network- ing, hot desks, seminar space and a meeting room. Karen Franek, princi- pal economic development officer, said: “It is about businesses feeling they own the space.”

Tennis camps

A WEAVERING man is hoping to tap in to this summer’s tennis fever by running beginner courses and summer holiday camps. South Eastern Tennis’ coaching sessions take place in Penenden Heath, New Line Learning Acad- emy and Staplehurst. For informa- tion, contact Julian Squiers on 07974 815 387.

Thefts from

service stations A LANGLEY man who stole items worth more than £300 from two service stations has been given a suspended jail sentence. David Lee Duke (32), from

Lacey Close, admitted taking cof- fee and washing detergent from a garage on the Ashford Road in Lenham on May 30 and, the next day, coffee and food from a serv- ice station on the London Road in West Malling and, again, fromthe garage in Lenham,where he stole shower gels, washing detergent and meat worth £84.44. Duke admitted all three counts

of shoplifting and was sentenced at Medway Magistrates’ Court to 60 days in prison, suspended for 24 months. He must also pay a £150 crimi-

nal courts charge, £308 compen- sation, £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

01622 791111 Hall Road, Maidstone 01580 892733 Maidstone Road, Staplehurst 01580 892037 Station Road, Staplehurst 01233 850075 Ashford Road, High Halden

Maidstone South July 2015 21

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