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Waitrose pulls out of site plan


WAITROSEhas pulled out of plans to build a new store on a commer- cial park at J7 of the M20. The retailer indicated in recent


weeks that, in the current economic climate, it was likely to concentrate on improving its existing stores. That is good news for the popular


and successful Allington branch of Waitrose, which has 20 years left to run on its lease. There had been concerns it would


be shut if the J7 outletwas built. Spokesman for developer Gal- lagher, Nick Yandle, said: "We have had four other retailers contact us whoare keen to progress matters on that site. “Waitrose management has indi-


cated that it is part of a strategy for the changing face of retail.” Ian Chittenden, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Maidstone north east , said: “This is a great pity. The proposal to build aWaitrose on EclipsePark led indirectly to the clo- sure of the Sittingbourne Road Park


and Ride. The majority of larger ap- plications locally usually raisemany objections due to concerns over traf- fic congestion and air pollution. “However, the Waitrose applica-


tion, which would have created 200 jobs locally, was extremely popular and well supported by councillors and especially by local residents, who will be disappointed.” In a recent interview with the


trade magazine, Property Week, Nigel Keen,Waitrose's property di- rector, confirmed company policy was to consolidate existing stores rather than invest in new ones. Hesaid:"We made a very positive decision not to build new stores and invest in our existing estate. “That will start to play at the end


of this year and into next year, when consumers see the investment we made and respond accordingly.” Waitrose, which is part of the John


Lewis partnership, has been ap- proached by Downs Mail for a com- ment.


Charity’s call for clothes


A CHARITY in Yalding is urging people to use their unwanted clothes to help others battling with alcohol and drug addiction. The Kenward Trust and South- eastern have set up Clothes Drop points at stations in Bearsted, at Maidstone East andWest, Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Snodland, Barming andWest Malling through- out September. The Kenward Trust use the items


to raise £500 per tonne for those overcoming addiction. Shane Irons, who works at Maid-


stone East, came up with the idea. He was a friend of John Chadwick, an ex-Kenward resident, who took


A45-YEAR-OLD Maidstoneman has been charged with arson and threats to kill following a car fire. Kent Policewere called at 1.30am


on September 3, to reports of an in- cident in Allen Street. Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service had brought the fire under control by 2am. Enquiries led to the arrest of


his own life when his local council made him move to accommodation that would not accept his beloved dogs. Shane said: “I hope the project highlights the importance of suit- able housing for vulnerable individ- uals when they re-integrate back into communities.” Lynn Hyder, from the trust, said: “While we receive some statutory funding for our residential recovery projects, this only covers a propor- tion of the cost of the services we provide.We are thrilled that South- eastern is helping us with this activ- ity and we thank them and the public who kindly donate for sup- porting our work.”


Car fire leads to arson charge


Richard Parkin, of Allen Street, who has been charged with arson, making threats to kill and two in- cidents of criminal damage. On September 4, Parkin was brought before Maidstone Magis- trates’ Court, where he was re- manded in custody until his next court appearance.


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