Town Talk Co-Op to close two stores


THE Co-Operative Group has an- nounced that both its stores in Snodland will close when the new shop, the former Bull pub at the corner of the High Street and Hol- borough Road, opens. The company took out a 20-year


lease on the building in September 2014 and it was planned to close the branch at 46 High Street, which includes the post office, and keep open the store on the opposite side of the road at 11 High Street. Andy Thompson, the co-op's planning manager, and Alex Cole- man from Instinctif Partners, at- tended a meeting of Snodland Town Council when the new plans were revealed.


Henry dies at


age of 104 HENRY Skinner, Snodland's oldest resident, has died at the age of 104.


One of seven children he was born in Snod- land, where he lived all his life. He worked at the brickworks at Ham Hill and joined the Army


before working as a grounds- man for Reed Paper Mill, Ayles- ford. His hobbies included garden-


ing and playing darts at Ham Hill Club and the Freemasons Arms.


Henry moved to Nevill Place


from Malling Road,HamHill be- fore moving to Rectory Close eight years ago. After one birth- day party he told Town Talk: "I love it here and I can't thank the carers enough for looking after me."


New judo club ‘brings hope for Olympics’


A JUDO and self defence training club for children has been opened in Snodland. Sports minister Tracey Crouch,


MP for Aylesford and Chatham, is giving her support and said she is “really pleased” to see judo in Snodland. "It is a growing sport that is re-


ally popular in the Olympics," she added. "Wouldn't it be great to see a futuremember of TeamGBfrom


Snodland?" Shiro No Judo was founded in


1957 in Whitefield, Manchester by Sensei Christopher Hopkinson 3rdDan, British Judo Association. Shiro means white field. In 2011 his son Andrew, a retired


police officer, opened a club in Gravesend for children and adults. “Snodland has welcomed Shiro


No to its community and in return we have brought children together


to teach them non-competitive and competitive judo," he said. "It is building confidence, promoting respect and teaching children self defence, while having lots of fun." The club is open for all children


over five years and meets at the community centre, Snodland, from 6.30pm to 7.45pm on Tues- days. Andy can be contacted on 07812 417648, or email andy@ju- doszi.co.uk.


The town council issued a state-


ment that the Co-op provided copies of plans for the proposed work. Mr Thompson told members that customer research was under- taken in order to understand what their customers' preferences were. He said progress on the new


store had been delayed by a drainage problem in the car park, which had now been resolved. The Co-op will be seeking plan-


ning permission for an extension. If this is approved, the store could open at the end of the year or the beginning of 2018. The two smaller stores would close and the Post Of- fice wouldmove to the new store. Mr Thompson said the Bull site


was about 3,000 sq ft which was comparable to the two current Co- op stores. Under the new plans the floor spacewas increased by 50%, which would provide a greater range of products and a storage area. He said 58% of customers thought a larger store was a good idea and 31% of customers be- lieved a larger store would encour- age them to shop locally. There will be 14 parking spaces


and a loading bay would be cre- ated for Co-op vehicles. The first floor of the building would be used for staff facilities and storage. The elevation plans on Holbor- ough Road would remain in keep-


Local news for Snodland and Halling


A Downs Mail supplement produced in conjunction with the Snodland Chamber of Commerce.


ing with the architectural design of the original building. The new store will trade from


10am to 4pm on Sundays. Mr Thompson said £4,500 had


been received by the community through the 1% cash back Co-op benefits and £17,000 had been re- ceived by customers from the 5% cash back they spend in the store. After the meeting, Alex Coleman


said: "Unfortunatelywe are not able to comment in time for this month's Town Talk. Co-op still have to re- solve some issues and we would notwanttogiveinformationthatis subject to change. We will of course update you as soon as these issues are resolved."


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