A huge former Debenhams department store could reopen as a medical centre as soon as next year, NHS documents reveal. Plans for doctors to treat patients in the currently empty building on Folkestone high street are now in the design phase – and are es…
Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence on celebrating with supporters after league wins over Sutton United and Colchester and extra encouragement following a change of formation
Gillingham’s head coach Stephen Clemence says the celebratory fist pumps can wait. Clemence kept the celebrations in front of the Gills fans restrained after their last league win, at Colchester United on New Year’s Day, and won’t be getting carried aw…
£1.2m five-bedroom house, previously The Swan pub, on sale in Sutton Valence near Maidstone
We’ve all got a favourite village boozer, but have you ever imagined what it would be like to live inside your local? What was once The Swan, a historic pub in the village of Sutton Valence, has been transformed into a stunning family home. The former …
Animals Lost and Found in Kent see huge rise in dumped pure bred cats including rag dolls, Bengals and sphynxs
An animal rescue group has reported a 100% increase in the number of purebred cats found abandoned in the last year. Natasha McPhee from Animals Lost and Found in Kent thinks the problem could be down to cats not fit for breeding being dumped or people…
Spotlight on Housing: Why young people in Kent are struggling to get on property ladder and taking on the ‘Nimbys’
We often hear from those opposed to new estates being built across Kent – but what about those who desperately want a home to call their own? Here, in our latest Spotlight on Housing feature, Local Democracy Reporter Dan Esson speaks to young people lo…
Ukraine: Kent County councillor Jordan Meade talks about aid trip to Kyiv
A councillor on a humanitarian mission to Ukraine has told how he cheated death as Russian missiles rained down around his hotel. Jordan Meade, 28, had to flee to safety as Kyiv was pounded by explosions. Inside a reinforced hotel bomb shelter, the bui…
Barry Goodwin’s best images from the 2024 Kent County Cross-Country Championships at Brands Hatch
The annual battle for cross-country glory was held on Saturday – and the Kent Messenger Group’s Barry Goodwin was at Brands Hatch to capture the action. Tonbridge AC’s James Kingston retained his Kent senior title in 38min19sec, beating his 2023 time b…
Kent head coach Matt Walker highlights batsman Tawanda Muyeye and wicketkeeper Harry Finch as two leading lights from their 2023 summer
Two leading lights from Kent’s 2023 season have been praised by head coach Matt Walker. Harry Finch performed well behind the stumps in tough circumstances and was handed a contract extension until 2025 last month. Batsman Tawanda Muyeye was named Kent…
Sudbury firm Caribbean Blinds targets continued growth after success during Covid pandemic creates catalyst for expansion
While many businesses have been hit hard, the changes in behaviours that Covid created has also led to some unexpected success stories. Chief among them is the Sudbury-based Caribbean Blinds, which cited the pandemic as the catalyst that accelerated gr…
Landlord holds on to ashes of former tenant’s mum over clean-up costs at flat in Luton Road, Chatham
A grandmother claims her landlord is holding the ashes of her late mum “to ransom” in a bid to force her to pay £300 to clean his property. Geraldine Glanville is locked in a bitter war of words with the businessman over the safe return of the treasure…