News


Insurance firm plans closures


A SECOND group of workers in Maidstone are under threat of re- dundancy thisweek. Swinton Insurance has announced


900 roles in the UK are at risk as it “reviews its branch network to meet changing customer demands”. Industry publication Insurance


Age said the broker was reviewing the size and structure of its branch network as 90 per cent of its cus- tomers now buy insurance online or over the phone. A total of 84 branches are under review – the Maidstone branch is in King Street. Swinton will now begin consulta-


tion with all employees affected by the proposals, adding that where possible, staff would be deployed into other parts of the business. These branch changes are in addi-


tion to the 130 closures announced in February last year. Gilles Normand, chief executive of Swinton, said: “We are reshaping our distribution model to ensure thatwe continue to meet the chang- ing needs of our customers. “This change is difficult for all col- leagues, especially thosewhoare di- rectly impacted by the proposals, but is vital ifwe are to remain com- petitive in a challenging insurance market. “While branches continue to be an important part of our multi-channel business model, we need to ensure that we can interact with customers whenever, and however, they choose. It therefore makes sense to continually review how we operate to ensure Swinton remains fit for the future.” It comes as rival insurance broker


Towergate announced 133 people are at risk of redundancy inits Maid- stone and Leeds Airport West of- fices. The company is restructuring its central finance processing teams.


Repeat offence


AREPEAT offender who stole from stores and service stations in the Maidstone area has been jailed. Michael Ian Scott (46), fromWallis


OakAvenue, admitted seven counts of shoplifting. The court heard that Scott stole


food worth £75from a shop inWal- lisAvenue, 11 bottles ofwashing liq- uid valued at £70 and 12 jars of coffee from a store in Loose Road. Hereturned the next day and stole


more coffee and meat, worth £75.He also took food worth £112 from a service station in St Saviour’s Road, Maidstone, between April 17 and April 20. Baby milk and meat worth £23 and £70 of foodwere also taken from the same service station on April 21 and 24. Scott was jailed for 150 days at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 27. He must also pay a £115 victim surcharge.


26 Maidstone June 2017 Air force band at castle concert


THE Central Band of the Royal Air Force will perform at this year’s Leeds Castle Classical Concert on Saturday, July 8. Now based at Royal Air Force Northolt, the Central Band remains at


the forefront of state occasions such as the Changing of the Guard. It participated in high-profile events including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the RoyalWedding and the 2012 London Olympics. The band will be conducted byWing Commander Piers Morrell. Event director RichardMillward said: “It is a real coup to have them


join us, and they typify the Battle of Britain theme that runs through the programme this year. Audiences who have been coming formany years will remember we traditionally used to start the concerts with a military band – and there is none better than this.” Also performing will be the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted


by John Rigby, singing sensations the Patriot Girls, soprano Katie Bird and tenor Anthony Flaum, while the Aero Legends will be providing the fly-by in a 1940s Spitfire. The evening will end with a fireworks finale.


downsmail.co.uk


Customers find cafe and gift shop closed


THE owner of a Maidstone coffee shop has apologised to customers with meal bookings who arrived to find the business had closed.


A notice on Harper’s Café and


Gift Shop in Market Buildings, Maidstone, says that the business, bought by music composer Frank Goodhind in June 2016, has ceased trading.


Responding to a complaint on the TripAdvisor website from a disap- pointed customer, the firm said: “We can only apologise for your in- convenience and disappointment. Unfortunately, we have had to close. “We are working with Groupon


to inform all customers who have booked through them, and also contact those who have booked di- rectly. This is a very difficult time for us, but we thank you for your understanding.” Situated next door to the Royal


Star Arcade entrance, Harper’s with its distinctive décor and style , has been based in the town for more than 22 years, selling unusual gifts and artefacts, aswell as coffee, cakes and snacks. The business was taken over by


Mr Goodhind in June 2016, after it was placed on the market by Kaye Joy.


She had owned it for eight years but decided to sell up to concen-


trate on her business commitments in France. After taking over, Mr Goodhind,


who is from Wrotham, and has a background in the music industry, described it as his dream job. His vision for the business was to ex- tend the menu with artisan breads and cakes and to continue to pro- vide a platform for local artists and crafts people. Using the name sueverett, Rochester, a reviewer said on Trip- Advisor that they had pre-booked an afternoon tea through Groupon but arrived to find the café was


closed. They spoke to the owner the fol- lowing day and rebooked for April 29, but again had awasted journey, as there was a closed notice on the door. The review said: “Disappointed


not to get our already paid-for af- ternoon tea, but more so to have two wasted journeys and after- noons because no one bothered to contact us, on either occasion.” Customers with Groupon gift vouchers for the café are advised to contact support@groupon.co.uk or call 0203 5100444.


Top marks for childcare pair


IT HAS been a stunning spring for Loulous Childcare in Hillary Road, Maidstone, which has been classed by Ofsted as “outstanding” in all four categories and has won its campaign for planning permission. Loulous, run by husband and


wife team Ross and Louise Hamp- ton at their home, was classed as good by Ofsted in 2015 and now wins top marks in: effectiveness of leadership and management; qual- ity of teaching, learning and assess- ment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; and out- comes for children. Ofsted reports: “The childminder provides an extremely exciting range of resources and activities to motivate and interest children. Children become highly engaged in play and make rapid progress in their learning.” Loulous was visited by Maid-


stone Council planning and, with parental support, has been granted permission for up to 12 children at any one time.


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