John Lewis stores in Ashford, Tunbridge Wells and Bluewater wait on news of closure threat
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Updated: 09:10, 11 March 2021
A question mark hangs over the future of major John Lewis stores in the county after the chain revealed it was looking at closing more of its shops as a result of the impact of the pandemic.
Describing the last year as one of the most challenging in its history, it said it did not expect to reopen all our John Lewis shops at the end of lockdown .
Ashford s John Lewis at Home store
There are John Lewis at Home stores in Ashford and Tunbridge Wells as well as a major store at Bluewater.
Anger over plans to turn former Barretts showroom in Canterbury into student reception area instead of shops or restaurant
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Updated: 10:41, 10 March 2021
Developers have u-turned on plans to open shops or a restaurant in a prime Canterbury city centre retail spot - and instead want to build a reception area for new student flats.
Business leaders have blasted the proposals for the former Barretts showroom, stressing that the site at the lower end of the high street is a âgatewayâ to the city and should therefore be protected for retail use.
The old showroom is in a prime high street spot
Construction firm O Keefe, headquartered in Ightham, hires Marc Daly as MD
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Ightham-based construction company O Keefe has appointed a new managing director.
Marc Daly joins the firm after nine years at Cary civil engineering where he was head of delivery for principal contractors including Skanska, Balfour Beatty and Lendlease.
Marc Daly is new MD of construction firm O Keefe (44982321)
He was previously with Laing O Rourke for nine years.
In his new role, at the firm near Sevenoaks, he will be responsible for the groupâs four divisions â construction, demolition, remediation and Kent, where the group now has its purpose-built headquarters.
He said: âRunning a business with multi-disciplinary services which offer clients seamless delivery from demolition and remediation through to frame delivery, but which can operate successfully in small, medium and large project environments, puts us in an enviable position in todayâs marketplace.â
Tunbridge Wells solicitors Cripps Pemberton Greenish appoint Mike Scott as senior partner
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Head of real estate Mike Scott will take on the role with effect from May 1.
Mike Scott of Cripps. Picture: John Cassidy
He joined Cripps as a trainee solicitor in 1994, becoming a partner in 2002 and head of real estate in 2015.
He specialises in property dispute resolution dealing with a wide range of property disputes, landlord and tenant issues and property insolvency.
Mr Scott takes on the role from Clare Hyland, whose term of office expires at the end of April. She will continue as a real estate partner at the firm.
Olson Timber Buildings snaps up Chart building brand as MD Stephen Sudlow retires
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A family-run timber company between Ashford and Canterbury has snapped up a local rival.
Olson Timber Buildings, based in Chilham, has acquired the Chart building brand in Ashford which includes Chart Stables and Chart Garages.
Spencer and Yolanda Olson (44879449)
The Chart brands have been operating for more than 30 years and employs more than 30 staff.
But its sale was prompted by the retirement of managing director Stephen Sudlow who had built up the business.
The Chart brands will continue to remain independent, operating alongside its new parent company.