By pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk (Paul Francis) A Home Office decision to lease a former student accommodation block to house asylum seekers has angered the area’s MP and councillors. The 86-bedroom building in Broadstairs had been vacant – but over the we…
Opening date for new Aldi at Westwood Cross, Broadstairs revealed
By mbowles@thekmgroup.co.uk (Millie Bowles) An opening date for a new Aldi supermarket in a former Sports Direct store has been confirmed. The new branch will welcome its first customers at Westwood Gateway Retail Park in Broadstairs from 8am on Thursd…
Historic Georgian home Rose Hill in Ash gutted in Bonfire Night ‘flames and explosions’
By saxtell@thekmgroup.co.uk (Sean Axtell) An historic Georgian home went up in rumbling “flames and explosions” on bonfire night. Julian Thatcher was abroad when he received messages this morning showing his property in Ash, near Sandwich, gutted by fi…
Banned motorist from Staplehurst got behind the wheel in Sutton Valence just moth after being disqualified
By lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk (Lynn Cox) A man who drove his work vehicle to a pub car park just weeks after being banned, has been disqualified from the road again and ordered to carry out unpaid work. Zerubbabel Smith, 27, was spotted by police driving in…
Demonstration demands closure of ‘dangerously overcrowded’ Manston detention centre
By sdelaney@thekmgroup.co.uk (Sean Delaney) Hundreds of people have staged a demonstration outside Manston detention centre demanding the facility’s closure. It comes after Downing Street said this week it moved more than 1,000 people from the processi…
Lydden Hill British Rallycross called off as Patrick O’Donovan becomes youngest-ever champion
By dwright@thekmgroup.co.uk (Dan Wright) Patrick O’Donovan became the youngest-ever British Rallycross champion at Lydden Hill on Saturday – before heavy rain forced organisers to abandon Sunday’s action. The 18-year-old claimed maximum points from day…
Maidstone’s Courtney Tulloch ready to take more risks after ending wait for rings medal at World Gymnastics Championships
By multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk (KentOnline reporter) Rings master Courtney Tulloch says he’ll stop playing it safe now he has banked a dream World Championship bronze and the Paris Olympics await. The Maidstone gymnast nailed a rings routine he has…
Medway fireworks cancelled by council at last minute
By saxtell@thekmgroup.co.uk (Sean Axtell) Families have been left devastated after a fireworks display has been cancelled at the last minute due to to excessive wind speed at height. Medway Council announced the coveted event was shelved at 6.15pm – ju…
McDonald’s at Tesco in Cheriton, Folkestone, opening date finally revealed
By phayes@thekmgroup.co.uk (Phil Hayes) The opening date for a huge new McDonald’s located in a Tesco car park has finally been revealed. Anticipation has been building ever since the restaurant seemed to “appear out of nowhere” in Cheriton, Folkestone…
AFC Fylde 1 Gillingham 1: Mikael Mandron scores for the Gills at Mill Farm in FA Cup First Round match but Tom Walker levels late on
By lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk (Luke Cawdell) Gillingham conceded a late goal at non-league AFC Fylde as the first round FA Cup match ended level. Mandron put the Gills infront at the end of the opening half but the National North side were rewarded for …