News


downsmail.co.uk Diner addsmood to itsmenu


MAIDSTONE’S burgeoning “twilight economy” has received another boostwith the opening anAmerican restaurant and bar.


The Hancock’s American


Kitchen & Bar chain already has a branch in Chatham. Business development bodyOne


Maidstonewelcomed the arrival of the business at a time when some sections of the retail sector are under pres- sure. Spokesman


Ilsa Butler (left) “The dents


said: resi- of


Ma ids t one are spoilt for choice these days.


Drugdealer, 18, in court


AN 18-year-old drug dealer who peddled his wares in Maidstone has been sent to a young offenders’ institution.


Maidstone


Crown Court heard that JaydnCharles t r a v e l l e d from London to sell drugs with a street value of be- tween £1,200 and £2,400 from a flat in


Brunswick Street, and threwheroin out of a window to try and avoid arrest. Officers went to the flat at about 11am onAugust 22 last year and found Charles with two mo- bile phones and a bag containing empty plastic wraps. He was ar- rested him in connection with the supply of drugs. Asearch uncovered a package in


the garden, belowthe flatwindow, containing 120 wraps of heroin. Charles’ DNA was later found on the outside of the package. Charles of Lewisham, was charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply. He appeared atMaidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, Au- gust 15, where he pleaded guilty andwas sentenced to one year and 10 months in a Young Offenders' Institution. District Commander, Chief In-


spectorMarkHedges said: “Iwant the message to go out that Maid- stone is not a safe place for drug dealers from outside Kent to be- come established.”


4 Maidstone October 2018 “Wewouldn’thave a companylike


thismoving in andmaking that sort of investment if theydidn’t feel itwas worthit.But it is fair to say that other parts of the town centre are feeling the challenges that have been re- portedonanational level.Maidstone has not been immune to that. “EarlStreethas,organically,grown


into becoming the restaurant quarter ofMaidstone, andthathas tobegood for the customer.” Hancock's,whichwill generate 20


full and part-time jobs and will be able to seat 130 diners, “hopes to bring something of a realAmerican vibe to the area”. Director David Chick said: “We’re


not exclusively a ‘meat lover’s para- dise’ though – our range of vegetar- ian options is also extensive. “Customers inMaidstonewill set


Hancock’s music policy because by using our app, they can select their favourite tunes as they dine – and fromexperience in our other outlets, thismakes for an evenmore upbeat mood in the restaurant.” Hancock’s American Kitchen &


Barwas scheduled to officially open on September 15 as this edition of DownsMailwent to press. Maidstone has reflected the na-


tional trend of debt-laden retail chains going under. A squeeze on spending habits, high rents and re-


strictively costly labour supplies caused by theminimumwage have all contributed to some companies being unable toweather the storm. But alongsidenational foodoutlets


likeHancocks,Kent-basedElitePubs launched their popular newventure The Herbalist in Maidstone to rave reviews in the summer.


Park sculpturemarks ash disease


TWO 10m tree sculptures, pierced with over 10,000 arrows, are to be installed in White Horse Wood, Maidstone, to highlight the plight of British ash trees. Ash to Ash project, created by


artists Ackroyd & Harvey, will be a cultural landmark to celebrate the ash trees that will be affected by ash dieback, which is now ravaging the species. Up to 98% of Britain’s 150 mil-


lion mature ash trees could die within the next decade, it has been claimed. Ash to Ash will remain in the


country park until 2021. Nick Johannsen, director of the


Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty unit, said: “It is highly unlikely that there will be a cure or that we will prevent the


spread of Ash dieback; thereforewe are passionate about the need to record and celebrate the ash and ash landscapes before they are lost.” Beccy Speight, CEO of theWood-


land Trust said: “The Ash Project shares our belief that arts and cul- ture provide an essential link be- tween people and the landscapes and woodlands in which we live.”


Leader’s tribute to former deputy


THE man who had the arduous task of steeringKentCountyCoun- cil through one of its toughest fi- nancial periods has died. John Simmonds, MBE – KCC’s


deputy leader from 2013 to 2017 – died lastmonth after a long illness. Hewas 82. In a tribute KCC leader Paul


Carter, praised Cllr Simmonds for his “enormous contribution” dur- ing 17 years of public service. Mr Carter said: “John brought a


wealth of experience from his highly successful career in banking and finance. In his role as cabinet member for finance,he steeredKCC through themost austere times the authority has experienced.


“His astute commercial and fi-


nancial brain enabled KCC to con- tinue to deliver good services to our residents and businesses.” Cllr Simmonds served as a cabi-


netmember for both educationand finance formany years. He grew up in Broadstairs and


went to school at Chatham House in Ramsgate. Mr Carter added: “John was a


wise, intelligent, determined and gentlemanmuch loved by allwho worked with him, and he will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.” He leaves wife Barbara, with


whom he had three children. The couple lived inWhitstable. Mr Simmonds hadbeenthe serv-


ingConservativemember forCan- terbury North since June 2001. No arrangements have yet beenmade for a by-election.


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