Latest news with #CanterburyCityCouncil
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Abandoned UK city centre branded a ‘grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover
The decision has been met by mixed reactions from locals NEW SLATE Abandoned UK city centre branded a 'grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover A HIGH street 'grot spot' is set to undergo a £200,000 transformation in the hopes of reviving the area. The street has been tarnished by an abandoned department store and is in desperate need of rejuvenation. Advertisement 2 Canterbury City Council approved the plans earlier this week 2 St Mary Bredman Square in Canterbury will be revamped in £200,000 project A £200,000 revamp project is set to restore a Canterbury high street to its former glory. St Mary Bredman Square, Kent, which contains a Grade-II listed war memorial, has been approved for development. Plans were approved this week following their submission in March. Canturbery City Council plan to use some of the £22 million they received from the previous government's Levelling Up scheme. Advertisement Read more News URGENT SEARCH Girl falls into huge UK dam as cops launch desperate underwater search The proposals include new steps and seating, improved flowerbeds and a new mural. The planning officer wrote: "The proposal preserves the special interest pf the Grade-II listed memorials and is acceptable." They added: "In conclusion, the works proposed are acceptable and preserve the historic and architectural significance of the war memorials." The memorial commemorates Royal East Kent Yeomanry soldiers who died in the Boer and First World War, in addition to a memorial for animals that died during the conflict. Advertisement Comments from locals seemed less enthusiastic about the development. One wrote: "Save the money. It's such a small space." While another added: "Need a bit more than £200k to sort this!" Huddersfield Station Closure: £70 Million Revamp Set to Transform Travel Yet others felt that the £200k cost seemed unreasonable given how little work the square needs. Advertisement One Facebook user commented: "I'm sorry, but I can't believe it's going to take £200k to pretty it up slightly, add a few steps and do next to nothing with the department store building around it that's been empty for years. "Surely you could do this for a fraction of the money?" Others said that the square itself isn't the problem - it's the derelict buildings surrounding it that have left it feeling uninviting. Some locals suggested that the community should come together to clean up the area. Advertisement Stewart Ross, chairman of Canterbury Commemoration Society has said that the war memorial should be moved alongside other memorials in Dane John Gardens. Stewart told the BBC: "Certainly, [the refurbishment] needs to be done because it's a pretty crucial area in the history of Canterbury. "It could be quite attractive and we'd support any work being done to improve it. "It needs a bit of artwork there rather than that out-of-place memorial statue." Advertisement The abandoned department store - a former Nasons - is also Grade II listed. It comes as towns across the country have tried to revive their high streets following a decline in footfall since Covid. High streets have been left with empty stores and dilapidated shop fronts as councils try to revive the struggling areas. Croydon recently promised a £5 billion revamp complete with a new shopping centre and train station. Advertisement While Oxford Council has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on a redevelopment project in Cowley.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned UK city centre branded a ‘grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover
A HIGH street 'grot spot' is set to undergo a £200,000 transformation in the hopes of reviving the area. The street has been tarnished by an abandoned department store and is in desperate need of rejuvenation. 2 Canterbury City Council approved the plans earlier this week 2 St Mary Bredman Square in Canterbury will be revamped in £200,000 project A £200,000 revamp project is set to restore a St Mary Bredman Square, Kent, which contains a Grade-II listed war memorial, has been approved for development. Canturbery City Council plan to use some of the £22 million they received from the previous government's Levelling Up scheme. Read more News The proposals include new steps and seating, improved flowerbeds and a new mural. The They The memorial commemorates Royal East Kent Yeomanry soldiers who died in the Boer and First World War, in addition to a memorial for animals that died during the conflict. Most read in The Sun Comments from locals seemed less enthusiastic about the development. One wrote: "Save the money. It's such a small space." While another added: "Need a bit more than £200k to sort this!" Huddersfield Station Closure: £70 Million Revamp Set to Transform Travel Yet others felt that the £200k cost One "Surely you could do this for a fraction of the money?" Others said that the square itself isn't the problem - it's the derelict buildings surrounding it that have left it feeling uninviting. Some locals suggested that the community should come together to clean up the area. Stewart Ross, chairman of Canterbury Commemoration Society has said that the Stewart told the BBC: "Certainly, [the refurbishment] needs to be done because it's a pretty crucial area in the history of Canterbury. "It could be quite attractive and we'd support any work being done to improve it. "It needs a bit of artwork there rather than that out-of-place memorial statue." The abandoned department store - a former Nasons - is also Grade II listed. It comes as towns across the country have tried to revive their high streets following a decline in footfall since Covid. High streets have been left with empty stores and dilapidated shop fronts as councils try to revive the struggling areas. While
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Whitstable open-top bus parade celebrates FA Vase final win
An open-top bus parade is to take place in Whitstable to celebrate the town's football club winning the FA Town FC came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, taking the trophy for the first time in the club's parade starts from Whitstable Harbour at 10:00 BST making its way through the town and finishing at The Primcura Healthcare Stadium.A club spokesperson said: "We look forward to celebrating this unforgettable moment with all our supporters." The club thanked its "countless volunteers" who had "given their time" to steward the procession."Your hard work and dedication - especially with such short notice - have made this celebration possible."Post-parade celebrations at the ground include a player awards ceremony, a chance to meet and greet the players as well as photo opportunities with the FA Vase trophy. The FA Vase features teams playing in steps 5 and 6 of the English National League system - Whitstable play in the Southern Counties East Football League.A spokesperson for Canterbury City Council said: "Whitstable Town's incredible achievement at Wembley on Sunday, which was such a historic moment in the club's history, deserves to be properly celebrated."It's great news that everyone involved has come together to make it happen and we hope it's a wonderful occasion where the players and club can bask in the glory they so richly deserve."
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Action promised in Canterbury to protect 'iconic' Westgate blooms
Tourists trampling on flowers to get the perfect picture at a public garden have been reminded to stay "respectful".Westgate Gardens by the River Stour, an area owned by Canterbury City Council, boasts colourful seasonal displays, along with punts and a backdrop of Medieval houses which attract large numbers of signs asking people to keep off the grass have failed to stop some from walking through the plants and causing authority said it is "actively looking" at more measures to protect the flower beds. The council turfed the area in 2021, but later removed it with agreement from the community that flowers would be a visitor from France, crossed the barrier and took photos on the mud path which has been created from constant told BBC Radio Kent: "It says keep off the grass but there is no grass there, so I thought I wasn't walking on the grass."If it's got to be more firm then maybe they need better signage to say no trespassing." A Canterbury City Council spokesperson said: "The flower displays in the Westgate Gardens are stunning and we enjoy seeing pictures popping up worldwide on Instagram, Tik Tok and other social media sites."The park is becoming increasingly iconic and being visited more and more as a result, and most people are very respectful of the displays. "But we are aware of the concerns of residents that a tiny minority of visitors are causing damage to the flowers through their over-exuberance to get that perfect snap."We are currently actively looking at measures we can put in place that would protect the flowerbeds while still allowing photographs to be taken."In many ways it's a nice problem to have, and we are sure that through a combination of common sense and some small changes to the layout at that area of the Westgate Gardens, everyone can continue to enjoy the park and its flowers."
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Work starts on seaside play area upgrade
Work has started on a £123,000 investment in a children's play area by the sea in Kent. The upgrade of the Hampton play area in Herne Bay will keep some pieces of equipment and add new ones, according to Canterbury City Council. The authority said the basketball area would also be relined and that the site would be closed while work took place. Weather permitting, it is hoped the project will take about four weeks to complete, and the site should reopen in time for half term at the end of May. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Park facilities get upgrades to discourage crime Council begins lifeguard recruitment for summer Canterbury City Council
