Max Chesson

A delivery driver was injured in an apparently unprovoked knife attack on Radnor Park Road in Folkestone at about 8:20 a.m. on Thursday. The victim suffered a cut to his arm and was treated in hospital without serious injury. Kent Police released an image of a man they want to identify and appealed for witnesses, dashcam footage and private CCTV.

Aster in Broadstairs, Franc in Canterbury and The Wellington in Margate have been added to the Michelin Guide’s selected restaurants category, which recognizes good cooking but does not confer a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand. The three venues opened within the past year and were praised for distinctive strengths: Aster for Luke Crittenden’s intimate vegan tasting menus, Franc for French-inspired food and wine in a historic Canterbury setting, and The Wellington for seasonal French-British pub cooking. The additions bring the number of Michelin-listed restaurants in Kent to 26.

A roadside display of dummies, skeletons and homemade figures in Court Hill, Littlebourne, has alarmed some residents and distracted drivers. The display was created by Stevie Lowe, who has been living in a caravan on land owned by agricultural business EH Holdstock & Son. Lowe says she will not leave until material she believes contains asbestos is removed, while the business says she has no permission to occupy the land and has been issued official notices to leave. EH Holdstock & Son also alleges that Lowe and her companion moved asbestos, restricted access, abused staff and vandalised equipment, claims Lowe denies apart from confirming she moved the suspected material to the farm gates. Canterbury City Council reports no active planning enforcement case, and Kent Police says the dispute currently appears to be civil.

Swale Borough Council has published the final draft of its Local Plan, identifying sites for thousands of homes through 2042. The borough must provide 17,024 homes, with major allocations including at least 2,500 near Bobbing, 2,879 around Faversham and about 1,795 on the Isle of Sheppey. The plan includes regeneration of Sittingbourne town-centre sites, Queenborough and Rushenden, and a large South East Faversham development, while excluding larger proposals such as Highsted Park and Winterbourne Fields from its allocations. Councillors remain divided, with concerns focused on overloaded roads, healthcare, schools and public transport, although supporters say an adopted plan would give communities greater protection from speculative development. Public representations on the plan’s legal compliance and soundness are open until 21 September 2026, after which an independent inspector will examine it.

Barry Milburn, 46, from Dover, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court to 12 years in prison after admitting nine sexual offences against a young victim, including raping the child twice. The case came to light in December 2024 after the victim disclosed the abuse to friends, prompting trusted adults to contact Kent Police. Milburn will serve one year on licence after release, is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and must remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

A former Wyevale Garden Centre site in Norton, between Faversham and Sittingbourne, has been bought by Brimstone Living for about £1 million after several price reductions. Swale Borough Council’s draft Local Plan Review now identifies the previously developed site as suitable for at least 100 homes, despite earlier refusals for a 67-home scheme. Any development would need to use the existing access, improve nearby bus stops, add a footway, landscaping and open space. The allocation does not grant planning permission and remains subject to public consultation and examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

Residents and Thanet councillor Abi Smith have condemned the Forestry Commission for dropping a potential prosecution over the felling of more than 40 mature trees in Sarre in 2023. The commission said understaffing and a high workload meant the two-year prosecution deadline was missed, and it chose not to issue a restocking notice requiring the landowner to replant. Thanet District Council found no planning breach and said it lacked powers to compel replanting, while a new complaint and related Forestry Commission enquiries remain ongoing.

An air ambulance attended Kingsmead Playing Fields in Canterbury at approximately 12:30 a.m. after being called to a private address nearby. The helicopter remained at the scene for more than 20 minutes before taking a patient directly to King’s College Hospital in London; ambulances were also seen near Riverside Leisure Centre.

BMM Weston has submitted plans to redevelop parts of its historic Weston Works site in Faversham, converting former offices into 18 apartments and building eight detached houses. A separate building across Brent Road would contain up to 10 affordable homes above a community boxing club, while residents would have access to a gym, coworking space and communal room. The active factory would remain open, and historic Art Deco features and blast walls would be retained. The Faversham Footpaths Group objects over potential traffic and pedestrian-safety problems, while the proposal aligns with the town’s neighbourhood plan preference for brownfield housing sites. The development comes amid wider proposals for hundreds or thousands of additional homes around Faversham.

A Sky News investigation found that smugglers are allegedly using fake or stolen passports to drive people from Calais to the UK through the Channel Tunnel, including in luxury vehicles such as a Range Rover. A former Border Force officer said staff shortages, heavy passenger volumes and pressure to keep queues moving could create vulnerabilities. The government said criminal gangs continually test border systems and promised to examine passport checks, vehicle inspections and related technology, while citing a 25% fall in asylum applications linked to illegal entry through cars and lorries and increased removals. Anti-slavery charity Unseen warned that migrants may be trapped in debt bondage and forced into criminal exploitation to repay smugglers.

Anthony Ojo, a 41-year-old father of four from Ashford, suffered a major stroke at home but recovered after doctors used mechanical thrombectomy to remove a blood clot from his brain at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. The procedure was performed in East Kent Hospitals’ new £4.5 million standalone thrombectomy suite, which has halved treatment times for eligible patients who previously had to travel to London. Hospital officials say more than 100 east Kent stroke patients a year could benefit, while senior NHS figures have praised the service. The unit’s future is linked to wider plans to move hyperacute stroke care to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, a proposal opposed by campaigners who want Canterbury’s existing stroke services retained. Ojo says the experience also prompted him and others in his community to take high blood pressure and medication adherence more seriously.

Lidl has submitted plans to Canterbury City Council for a new store on the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable, about three miles from its Herne Bay branch. Residents and Canterbury District Green Party councillors oppose the proposal, citing loss of green space, habitat damage, traffic, road safety and the availability of nearby Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and M&S stores. Lidl says the branch would improve local access to shopping, create up to 40 jobs and could open in 2027 or 2028. The proposal includes a 127-space car park and remains subject to planning approval.

Victor Cloke, the Dover businessman who co-founded Cloke Scaffolding with his father Cyril in 1984, has died suddenly aged 61 after a severe infection. The family-run company grew from one vehicle and two workers into a 25-to-30-employee business involved in major projects at Dover Harbour and Folkestone Harbour Arm. His son Elliot described him as a devoted father, mentor and community supporter who helped charities assisting disabled people and sponsored local football clubs. Victor is survived by his wife Kim, who has a terminal illness, their children Bradley, Sophie and Elliot, and three grandchildren. His funeral will be held at Barham Crematorium on August 11.

A crash on the coastbound M20 between junctions 8 and 9 near Ashford has caused delays within the existing Operation Brock contraflow system. Kent Highways reported the incident shortly after 8:30 a.m., and drivers were warned to expect disruption while emergency services were contacted for comment.

An 80-year-old man from Romney Marsh died at the scene after his blue Ford Fiesta collided with a tree on the A261 London Road in Hythe. Emergency services attended, and the road was closed in both directions between the West Hythe turn-off and Old London Road. Police are appealing for information and footage from witnesses.

Rail services in the Strood area were temporarily halted after a person fell ill at Strood railway station. Southeastern warned passengers travelling towards London and the coast to expect delays but said services were expected to resume shortly. Emergency services were contacted for comment.

Three-year-old Woody Heron from St Peters, Broadstairs, became acutely ill at home on March 25 and died later that day at QEQM Hospital in Margate despite resuscitation attempts. His parents, Richie Heron and Jazmin Botterill, described themselves as devastated, while their seven-year-old daughter Evelyn has helped them cope. The cause of death is currently recorded as sudden unexpected death in childhood. A community fundraiser raised more than £9,000 toward funeral costs, and a full inquest is scheduled for September 23.

A High Court judge rejected a legal challenge from Faversham Town Council and local campaign groups seeking to block a 250‑home development on Ham Marshes. The ruling upheld a planning inspector’s previous decision that mitigation measures would make the site safe despite the absence of a required flood‑risk Sequential Test. The court found no error in the inspector’s reasoning and confirmed that the benefits of new housing outweighed policy breaches. Local campaigners and councillors expressed disappointment, warning of increased flood risks and criticizing the perceived sidelining of the community’s Neighbourhood Plan.

A Margate LGBTQ+ bar and community venue, Camp, will close on August 8 after owners cited financial pressures, a proposed rent increase, rising noise complaints and new requirements from Thanet District Council that they say would make continued operation unviable. A denied event license for a planned Margate Pride after-party added further financial strain. The founders, who invested heavily in the space, described the closure as part of a wider decline in queer venues and criticised the lack of support for the town’s night-time economy. Artist Dame Tracey Emin publicly supported the venue following the announcement.

Helen Grant, Conservative MP for Maidstone and Malling, will stand down at the next general election, citing her recovery from cancer and a desire to give a successor time to establish themselves. Grant, who has served since 2010, confirmed the decision at the local Conservative Association AGM and will also leave her role as Shadow Solicitor General. She discussed her plans with party leader Kemi Badenoch and intends to continue serving constituents until the election. Her political career has included ministerial roles in justice, sport and tourism, as well as work on equality and foreign affairs.

Pete Doherty and comedian Josh Pugh have created a new YouTube series filmed around Margate, featuring unusual interviews, comedy and local landmarks. A trailer shows the pair exploring the town, including the Dalby Cafe, where Doherty once completed a notable breakfast challenge. Pugh discussed the project on Sunday Brunch, describing the collaboration as surreal and noting their work on a theme tune together. The series builds on Doherty’s longstanding ties to Margate through The Libertines’ Albion Rooms studio and hotel-turned-recording space. A release date has not yet been announced.

Fourteen pubs in Kent have been included in The Telegraph’s expanded guide to the UK’s 650 best pubs, with thirteen returning from last year and the Carpenters Arms in Coldred joining as a new entry. The guide praises venues for atmosphere, heritage, character, and quality beer, with several pubs recognised for historic interiors, local brewing connections, and strong community roles. Multiple sites hold long-running placements in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide or recent regional awards, underscoring Kent’s strong pub tradition.

Members of the David Lloyd leisure club in Herne Bay are frustrated after new signage introduced £100 fines for cars parked outside marked bays, despite ongoing complaints that the car park lacks sufficient capacity. The club argues the changes aim to curb misuse of disabled bays and manage congestion, while critics say the core issue is overcrowding and inadequate parking provision. Some welcome tougher rules on disabled bays, but many fear the restrictions will worsen pressure and push more drivers into the neighbouring Sainsbury's car park. The club says it has taken steps to reduce demand and is exploring options for additional parking.

Armed police arrested a 45‑year‑old man in Swanscombe after a man in his 50s was stabbed and his white Sprinter van stolen in Maidstone. The victim sustained serious but stable injuries and was taken to a London hospital. Officers recovered the stolen van and a knife, and investigators are appealing for witnesses and footage from the area.

Lidl is consulting on plans to build a new store in Whitstable on Old Thanet Way opposite Tesco Extra, located three miles from its existing Herne Bay branch. The proposal is part of a wider expansion across Kent, with the chain targeting 34 locations and planning significant investment in its UK network. A planning application has been submitted to Canterbury City Council, with hopes of opening as early as next year and fully trading by 2028. The project could create around 40 jobs and would sit next to a recently approved care home. The announcement follows approval for another Lidl in Ramsgate, continuing the company’s growth as it becomes the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket. Residents can submit feedback through Lidl’s consultation website.

Wing Kingz in Canterbury closed unexpectedly during the World Cup, leaving the venue empty despite its prominent location and recent popularity. The bar, opened in 2024 as the brand’s first franchise site, featured competitive eating challenges and regular live sports screenings. Management confirmed the closure without explaining the reasons, ending what had been positioned as the start of broader regional expansion plans.

The car‑themed pub B_Road at The Stag in Challock is closing after its founders, Roger Gray and Edd Little, said rising operational costs had made the venue unsustainable. Gray announced the decision on social media, prompting strong support from patrons who praised the pub’s events and community atmosphere. The venue, opened in 2023 after extensive renovation, had drawn both car enthusiasts and criticism from some residents over visitor behaviour. Ashford Borough Council previously investigated whether car meets were permitted under the pub’s planning conditions. The closure comes amid a wider trend of struggling pubs across the UK, with industry figures showing significant numbers shutting in early 2026.

Toby Carvery plans to take over the former Long Reach Beefeater in Whitstable, which closed in 2024 during Whitbread’s restaurant restructuring. Planning documents submitted to Canterbury City Council show the site would be rebranded with Toby Carvery signage, marking the chain’s first location in the Canterbury district. The move follows other former Whitbread sites being considered for takeover by Mitchells & Butlers, Toby Carvery’s parent company. No opening date has been confirmed, and neither company responded to requests for comment.

Three individuals who operated a network of brothels across Kent and other parts of the UK were ordered to repay more than £600,000 in proceeds of crime while serving prison sentences for exploiting vulnerable women. Lina Wang, Yuan Hang and Chung Fu Wang had brought victims into the country illegally and forced them to work across dozens of locations. All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, with additional charges of possessing criminal property for Wang and Hang. Following their imprisonment, Kent Police secured confiscation orders totalling £605,903, with each ordered to pay within three months or face additional prison time. Authorities emphasised that the orders prevent the offenders from profiting from exploitation and ensure accountability for their criminal enterprise.

Police released new CCTV showing 15-year-old Ruby Morris at St Pancras station on June 27, hours after her last confirmed sighting in Kent. She was later believed to be near Euston and may have boarded a train. Officers detailed her appearance, travel links across several UK regions, and a woman she may have previously travelled with. Kent Police continue extensive searches and appeal for public information to help locate her.

Operation Brock will return to a 13‑mile stretch of the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford from mid‑July to late August to manage anticipated heavy traffic and cross‑Channel delays. Authorities expect increased tourist numbers and ongoing challenges linked to the EU’s new Entry‑Exit System, prompting contingency plans including potential use of Lydden Hill Race Circuit. Officials argue the measures are necessary to prevent gridlock around key routes and essential services, though local representatives warn prolonged use raises safety concerns and could worsen disruption.

Two long-empty commercial units within the £20 million Slatters redevelopment in Canterbury are set to be occupied by Lumi Skin Clinic following updated planning conditions that broadened eligible business types. The redevelopment, which reopened as Hampton by Hilton in 2021, previously struggled to attract tenants amid restrictive permissions and reduced commercial interest following the pandemic. Meanwhile, Notorious BRG has relaunched the rooftop venue as The Rooftop after being locked out of its former Socialite unit, with owner Jonny Wall describing the new chapter as a major milestone for the business.

A comparison of Tripadvisor rankings with on‑the‑ground experience finds the Travelodge in Sandwich, rated unusually high against luxury Kent hotels, to be clean, functional and budget‑appropriate but lacking features that justify its ranking. Reviewer expectations and rating algorithms are identified as key factors elevating modest hotels above more expensive competitors. The stay was adequate, with friendly staff and basic amenities, though without standout qualities that would place it among Kent’s top hotels.

The Goodyear Blimp flew over Kent for the first time in four years after departing from Calais, passing over Dover and Canterbury. The airship, known for appearances at major sporting and entertainment events, is expected to conduct several flights across the UK in the coming months. Sightings prompted excitement among local residents, with images shared from areas including Deal and Canterbury as the 246‑foot airship travelled at typical altitudes of 1,000 to 1,500 feet.

A 19-year-old trans woman, Sigrid Taylor, died by suicide after struggles with mental health, prompting her mother to highlight the emotional toll and social isolation often experienced by transgender people. Her family described her as compassionate, creative and socially engaged, while noting her efforts to seek NHS support for mental health and transition-related needs. A fundraiser for her gravestone underscores the family's call for greater empathy, safe spaces and support for the trans community, with local mental health and LGBTQ+ resources promoted for those in need.

Broadstairs High Street has been closed near Iceland as Southern Water carries out emergency repairs on a leak first reported on June 8. The utility received permission to keep the road shut until July 6 but expects repairs to be completed by Thursday. The company apologised for the disruption and said teams are working as quickly as safety allows.

A proposed pool and darts club in Whitstable faces opposition from Canterbury City Council over its licensing application, particularly regarding whether membership should be mandatory. The council argues mandatory membership would help meet licensing objectives, but co-owner Anthony Etherington insists it should remain voluntary. The dispute has raised concerns about how the club would operate and potential impacts on safety and nuisance prevention. Councillors will review options including approval, modification or refusal of the licence, while several residents have objected over potential noise and late-night disturbance. Police have agreed to conditions including CCTV, staff training and a Challenge 25 policy.