Wednesday, October 19, 2016
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PAPER
STATE BALLET COMES TO TOWN FROM RUSSIA – WITH LOVE
LOCAL DESIGNER MAKES HER MARK AT LONDON FASHION WEEK
Pages 84-85 P
Residents urged to vote as Pantiles becomes a finalist in national awards By Lorna Johnson THE Pantiles was named one of the three top finalists in The Great British High Street awards yesterday (October 18). Communities across the country were asked to nominate local areas and almost 900 sites were submitted to the judges representing the Department for Communities and Local Government that runs the competition. The Georgian-era promenade has been shortlisted for its parade of shops under the category of Local Centres.
‘Thriving and cutting edge’ Described as a ‘thriving and cutting edge venue’, The Pantiles impressed the judges, who praised its passion, warmth and ‘incredible community spirit’. Voting is now open to the public as the final areas go head-to-head for the chance to be crowned Britain’s Best High Street and claim a share of the £100,000 prize money. Hotelier Julian Leefe-Griffiths said: “It is incredible for The Pantiles to be recognised for all the energy people put into things like events.” Matthew Sankey, from the Association of Pantiles Traders, said it was because of these events that the area is now the ‘new hub of the town’. To vote for your town visit www.thegreatbritishhigh street.co.uk
Pages 10-11
COUNTY HALL PLEDGES TO KEEP KENT A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE
WITH 40 PAGES IT’S THE ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE
Pages 8-9
From page 25
Legal threat over ‘madness’ INSIDE of the nine-day road closure WINDOW PAIN
Society claims shop fronts do not reflect town Pages 6-7
Commuters and shoppers face long detours and delays By Adam Hignett adam@thetimesoftunbridgewells.co.uk BUSINESSES have reacted angrily to plans to close a main route into Tunbridge Wells, fearing a loss of trade worth tens of thousands of pounds. Detours would also push 16,000 extra cars, vans and lorries through villages each day, and mean potentially long delays for commuters and shoppers trying to get into town. The A267, known as Frant Road, is the main route connecting Tunbridge Wells with villages and towns to the south, as far afield as Cross in Hand, near Heathfield. However, from Saturday [October 22] East
Sussex County Council plans to close the busy thoroughfare between Church Lane, Frant, and the Wadhurst Road for nine days, both ways, for 24 hours a day. The resurfacing work will cover a stretch of road just over half a mile.
‘The reason for shutting the road in both directions does not stack up’ The announcement has been met with dismay from both commuters and local businessmen, one of whom has threatened legal action if the closure goes ahead. Richard Burrell, who has been the landlord of the Abergavenny Arms since last
year, described the plans as ‘madness’. The pub is on the closed stretch. He told the Times it could cost him as much as £35,000 in lost trade, while he would still have to pay for staff wages and general upkeep. “It is undue hardship and I have been taking legal advice on the issue,” he said, adding the improvements could go on ‘far longer’ than the nine days scheduled. He has taken particular issue with the supposed need to close the road both ways, arguing that the reason he had received from the contractor, stating it was necessary due to the need to accommodate a digger, ‘did not stack up’.
Continued on page 2
RAIL REFUND
Call to fast track compensation for delayed commuters Page 3
HOTEL VISION BLOCKED Section of road due for closure
What the new Premier Inn will probably look like Page 3
WINNING WAYS
Foodbank’s double honour at local awards night Page 4