KentOnline

Podcast: Shop owner won’t move despite plans for huge new hotel

In today's podcast, the owner of an independent shop in Ashford town centre says they're not going to move - despite plans for a huge hotel opposite.

A row of six shops is being knocked down to make way for the new building which will have 92 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant and spa.

Jim Symes, who runs Ashford Sewing Centre, says they've had a lot of confusion from customers.

Also in today's episode, we take a look at some of the issues that have led to a shortage of doctors in Kent.

New data shows there are just 38 GPs for every 100,000 people, which is the worst figure in Britain.

Elsewhere, a Chatham woman who underwent transgender conversion therapy as a teenager says it's ruined her life.

Shea Coffey is calling for the process, which aims to stop people from transitioning, to be made illegal.

Market traders in and around Canterbury, who are already feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis, have been told they'll need to pay thousands in backdated rent.

Retailers say they're spending sleepless nights worrying about their finances as they try to recover from the impact of Covid and deal with soaring energy bills.

Animal conservationists are hoping to protect more endangered lions by building larger enclosures.

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden want to improve existing habitats and create new space for Asiatic lions.

And in football, Gillingham's disappointing start to the League Two season has continued.

Hear from manager Neil Harris after their 1-0 defeat away to Carlisle at the weekend.

Podcast - Boot fair organiser puts anti-tank defences outside field to stop travellers breaking in

A man who runs a boot fair in Medway has put anti-tank defences outside the field, to stop travellers breaking in...

Mark Greenfield got worried after caravans were spotted in a nearby park.

He's put big concrete blocks outside the gates in Upnor, and hired a security guard to sleep on the site in a tent.

Also in today's episode, we've been getting reaction from charities and business leaders after the energy price cap announcement.

Average gas and electricity bills will go up to about £3,500 a year from October, and it's feared it'll push millions more families into poverty.

Our reporter has been out on the picket line as thousands of Royal Mail workers are out on strike.

They're taking industrial action in a row over pay and changes to their conditions.

A Sheppey man has come under fire for dumping lorry-loads of soil over the cliffs near his home.

We've been finding out why residents are angry, and getting his side of the story.

Plus in football, it's a long trip north for Gillingham this weekend, as they head to Carlisle United.

The Gills manager has been giving us his thoughts ahead of tomorrow's match.

 

Podcast: Dad dies after Maidstone pub attack

In today's podcast, a man from Chatham has died in hospital after being attacked outside a pub in Maidstone town centre.

Andrew Looseley was fighting for his life at King's College Hospital for five days after being assaulted outside the Hare and Hounds pub.

 

Also today, a Medway man who's been diagnosed with terminal cancer has told the KentOnline Podcast he initially thought the tumour was an insect bite.

Andy Bird booked a doctors' appointment last August - but it was delayed after he caught Covid.

 

Hundreds of children have been collecting their GCSE results across Kent.

Karen Bennett is Head Teacher of the Will Adams Academy in Medway and says she's really proud of her students. We speak to her on today's episode.

 

A shop owner says she has no choice but to leave Ashford town centre, as it's become unsustainable.

Jane Watts, who runs Jane's Boutique in the Park Mall, says just 5% of their business now comes from face-to-face customers.

 

And, hear about the Kent businesses which have won National Curry Awards.

Podcast: Families flee beach as shark spotted

In todays podcast, people have fled the water in Folkestone after a shark was reportedly spotted. We have the details.

Also today, Eurostar's decision to not stop in Kent for another two years has been described as a huge blow to businesses. We speak to Jo James from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Elsewhere, EuroTunnel has apologised to passengers who were left trapped underground for almost five hours.

A protest has been held in Medway against the Government's plans to shut down railway ticket offices.

A hosepipe ban has come into force for more of Kent residents today.

And, Gillingham fans have been celebrating after they got through to the third round of the Carabao Cup. Hear from manager Neil Harris.

 

 

Podcast: Dad-of-three jailed for beating a man with a shovel in revenge attack

A court's heard how a dad-of-three used a shovel "like a baseball bat" in an attack in Herne Bay.

Reece Cannon went after his victim while children were watching in February.

Hear the full details from court, as the 30 year-old was jailed for eight years.

Also in today's podcast, a record number of asylum seekers crossed the Channel to Kent yesterday as people continue to risk their lives making the dangerous journey.

Figures show nearly 1,300 men, women and children arrived in Dover after 27 smalls were intercepted.

It's feared ongoing sewage leaks on the Kent coast are putting people off visiting.

No-swim warnings have been in force at several beaches in the county after waste water was released into the sea during heavy rain last week.

Hear from businesses who say it's affecting trade.

Elsewhere, a former soldier from Canterbury who says he lost all of his confidence after losing his legs while serving in Afghanistan, is planning to climb the world's tallest mountain.

We speak to Hari Budha Magar who was injured when an improvised explosive device went off while he was on patrol in 2010.

A crowdfunding campaign is under way as it's going to cost £300,000.

And in sport, we look ahead to Gillingham's second round tie with Exeter City in the Carabao Cup.

Podcast - Aldi apologises to woman accused of shoplifting from Gillingham store

A Medway mum's received an apology from Aldi after being branded a shoplifter.

She was approached by staff at the store in Gillingham and accused of stealing goods.

Hear what happened when she contacted the company's chief executive.

Also in today's podcast, tests on CBD products by scientists in Kent have found most contain illegal substances.

It's taken by some people to manage pain or anxiety, but it's feared people don't always know what they're consuming.

The head of the laboratory that carried out the research is on to tell us more.

A leading charity supporting former service personnel in Kent say an increasing number are struggling with the rising cost of living.

Help for Heroes has had to increase how much money is available for veterans so they can afford to pay energy and food bills.

Elsewhere, the boss of a Kent foodbank says he's had to expand into providing school uniform as parents struggle to afford it because of the cost of living crisis.

It's estimated families spend around £300 a year on uniforms including shoes and a bag.

Environmental campaigners are worried reopening Manston Airport will create more pollution for people living in Thanet.

This is an update on Friday's news that the owners have been given permission to turn it into a cargo hub.

We're told homes and businesses along a stretch of coastline in Kent could be allowed to flood in future.

Documents say part of the shoreline at Seasalter near Whitstable could be taken by the sea when maintenance of the current defences there ends in 2055.

And in sport, we've been getting reaction to Gillingham's 0-0 draw with Walsall at the weekend.

It's left them struggling towards the bottom of the league two table.

Podcast: Teenager arrested on suspicion of murder after man in 20s stabbed to death in Tonbridge

A man in his 20s has died after being stabbed in Tonbridge.

Police were called in the early hours of this morning and a teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Hear from our reporter at the scene.

Also in today's podcast, Manston airport has been given the go ahead to re-open.

The site in Thanet has been closed for eight years but work to get it running again can get underway as early as next month after permission was granted by the government.

We've been speaking to our business editor Chris Britcher and have reaction from North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale.

Learner drivers in Kent are facing a six month wait to book their test because of a huge backlog.

The industry's been struggling to keep up with demand since the pandemic. 

A pollution warning has been extended to nine Kent beaches after waste water was released into the sea.

Find out which sites are affected.

A 10-year-old girl from Sheppey is being praised for getting help after her aunt fell down stairs - leaving her with a broken arm and badly cut head.

It happened at flats on Russell Street in Sheerness. We've spoken to both of them.

And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager Neil Harris and midfielder Alex MacDonald ahead of this weekend's game against Walsall.

The Gills will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night's defeat to Harrogate.

Podcast: Drug drive arrest after man, woman and two children hit by car on Dock Road, Chatham

A woman's been arrested after a man, woman and two children were hit by a car in Chatham.

It happened on Dock Road - hear from our reporter who's been speaking to people who live nearby.

Also in today's podcast, A level results are out today.

Hear from a students who's off to Oxford University and an incredible 12-year-old who's already got two A levels in maths.

But, if results didn't go how you'd hoped, the clearing process is under way.

We've been speaking to the student union president at the University of Kent who got his place that way - plus a third year who's helping to man the phones at the clearing centre.

Almost £1.5m is going to be spent on making Kent safer.

Hear from the county's police and crime commissioner who successfully bid for the cash and will spend it in parts of Canterbury, Gravesham, Maidstone and Medway.

Victims and relatives of those affected by a contaminated blood scandal which happened in the 70s and 80s are finally going to get compensation.

We have reaction from Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks.

Rail services in Kent have been disrupted by further strike action - hear from Network Rail and the general secretary of the RMT Union.

And in sport, we have details on Emma Raducanu's latest game at the Cincinnati Masters.

Podcast: Abbey School in Faversham rated inadequate by inspectors after ’Britain’s strictest headteacher’ was drafted in

A Kent school that drafted in a headteacher described as 'Britain's strictest' has been rated inadequate by inspectors.

Parents complained when Barry Smith was parachuted into Abbey School in Faversham for a number of days last September.

Ofsted have found that its strict rules are considered “oppressive” by pupils, many of whom are “unhappy and do not feel safe".

We have reaction from an education advisor, we've also found out what some parents think and have a response from the school.

Also in today's podcast, it's an anxious wait for thousands of teenagers in Kent as A level results are out tomorrow.

Pupils sat exams for the first time since before the pandemic. We've been catching up with education specialist Graham Jones.

£17.5m has been spent on doing up a holiday park in Kent - creating more than 100 jobs.

It's the biggest investment Haven have made in one of their parks this year and will see a number of new attractions open at the site in Allhallows.

Drivers who keep parking in a church carpark in Medway are being urged to go there for services - or move their vehicles.

There are several spaces behind St Matthew's in Borstal near Rochester. Hear from the church warden.

In sport, Gillingham have suffered another defeat in the league. We have reaction from manager Neil Harris following their 2-0 loss to Harrogate.

But there was better news for tennis star Emma Raducanu who beat legend Serena Williams in America overnight.

 

Podcast: Homeless man suffers serious burns after being ’set on fire’ as he slept in Canterbury

A homeless man has suffered serious burns after reportedly being set on fire while he slept in a tent in Canterbury.

It happened on land behind a leisure centre.

Hear from our reporter Gerry Warren who's been at the scene.

Also in today's podcast, it's feared Thanet will be one of the worst affected places in the country when energy prices rocket this autumn.

The most recent figures, seen by the KentOnline Podcast, show 1 in 8 households there is already in fuel poverty - the previous year it was 1 in 10.

Hear from councillor Rob Yates who represents Margate central ward.

A caravan's been destroyed in an explosion at a holiday park on Sheppey.

Fire crews were called to the Shurland Dale site in Eastchurch last night.

A Maidstone mum's trying to raise money to get her daughter an assistance dog so she can go to college.

16-year-old Ellie Bourner was diagnosed with Tourette's a few years ago, and her family got a dog to help with therapy and alert her when a tic attack is coming on.

The famous Knife Angel sculpture is returning to Kent.

It's made from over 100,000 blades seized by police and was previously on display at Rochester Cathedral in 2019.

Barbie's launching a doll with hearing aids, following a campaign by Kent Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The actress from Hythe became the first deaf contestant to win the dancing show last year.

And in sport, Gillingham welcome Harrogate to Priestfield for the first time tonight.