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Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

‘End of an era’ as iconic cafe to shut after 23 years

01 June 2024
‘End of an era’ as iconic cafe to shut after 23 years

A popular cafe which has been providing breakfast and lunches to the town’s shoppers for more than two decades is shutting down.

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By-election called after councillor quits his post

31 May 2024
By-election called after councillor quits his post

A Green councillor has resigned, prompting a by-election which will coincide with the general election.

‘Voters need to be given the chance to quiz election candidates’

31 May 2024
‘Voters need to be given the chance to quiz election candidates’

A resident is looking to organise his own general election hustings so voters can “ask the questions they want answers to”.

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Family-run freight firm is an ‘export champion’

30 May 2024
Family-run freight firm is an ‘export champion’

A freight company has been given a royal honour in recognition of its overseas sales.

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‘Appointments show utter contempt for hospitality industry’

30 May 2024
‘Appointments show utter contempt for hospitality industry’

A row has erupted over a council leader’s choice of appointments to chairman and vice chairman roles in a newly elected council.

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‘We can’t wait to get started on veterans’ hub’

29 May 2024
‘We can’t wait to get started on veterans’ hub’

Veterans are keen to see work start on a new support hub for ex-servicemen after winning planning permission.

Be prepared to be soaked at river festival

29 May 2024
Be prepared to be soaked at river festival

Teams of six are needed to race a raft of their own design on the River Medway.

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New flats owners ‘should promise not to have cars’

28 May 2024
New flats owners ‘should promise not to have cars’

Councillors are resisting the loss of a care home described as a valuable community asset.

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Museum’s £640k gallery set to open

26 May 2024
Museum’s £640k gallery set to open

Visitors to a museum’s new gallery will gain a unique insight into life thousands of years into the past.

Developer asks for views on 118-home development

26 May 2024
Developer asks for views on 118-home development

A housing developer has launched a public consultation on plans for more than one hundred homes.

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Historic home sold by housing association at ‘bargain’ price

26 May 2024
Historic home sold by housing association at ‘bargain’ price

A listed home opposite a village green and in a conservation area is under offer at a “bargain” price.

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Work starts on retirement home on former petrol station site that shut in 2010

26 May 2024
Work starts on retirement home on former petrol station site that shut in 2010

Work has started on a new retirement complex previously labelled “farcical” by a town’s new mayor.

Green light for more homes at traveller site

25 May 2024
Green light for more homes at traveller site

The number of mobile homes permitted on a traveller site is set to double.

‘Change needed’ as another shop shuts

25 May 2024
‘Change needed’ as another shop shuts

A senior councillor says change is needed to reverse the trend of town centre shops shutting after another store closed its doors.

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‘We’ve been shafted’ - anger as new train services to London quietly shelved

25 May 2024
‘We’ve been shafted’ - anger as new train services to London quietly shelved

Plans for a new improved service connecting the County Town to London have been shelved

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Costa Coffee drive-thru plans near M20 approved

24 May 2024
Costa Coffee drive-thru plans near M20 approved

Plans for a Costa Coffee drive-thru have been approved, despite concerns about fumes and litter.

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Beacon lighting ceremonies in Kent to mark D-Day

24 May 2024
Beacon lighting ceremonies in Kent to mark D-Day

The RBLI is inviting the public to join veterans in lighting a beacon to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day.

800 kids impress at triathlon

23 May 2024
800 kids impress at triathlon

Children from 20 schools join in triathlon to raise £85,000 for charity.

New rooftop apartments craned into place

22 May 2024
New rooftop apartments craned into place

A crane has lifted 11 new modular homes into place to add an extra floor to a block of flats.

‘We are going to do things differently’

22 May 2024
‘We are going to do things differently’

A new council leader has made immediate changes and announced his cabinet team with two extra posts.

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