Herne Bay sea front development

A TV bad guy is shrugging off his image to develop a positive project to regenerate Herne Bay. Actor Bill Murray, who played Johnny Allen in EastEnders, is poised to submit plans to provide a link from the town centre to the seafront, opening up views of the historic clocktower.

The star owns properties along Central Parade and plans to demolish one, number 73 – a boarded up arcade – and build shops, flats and townhouses behind it. He told the Times:

"The development is to expose the clocktower and create something to really improve that whole area. It means demolishing the property in front of it and losing some of the public car park but the result will be a new shopping area that people can enjoy."

Mr Murray's company, Beach Street Associates, is working with Clague architects on the scheme, for Beach Street, and the proposals have been discussed with Canterbury City Council officials.

A formal planning application is due to be submitted shortly and a land swap deal is close to being agreed, where Canterbury City Council would gift part of their land, used as a car park, for the scheme. Funding would come from Mr Murray and his company. Architect Geoff Mitchell said:

"It would open a pedestrian link between Beach Street and the clocktower, which is a really strategic movement for the town. The glimpse of the clocktower will draw people along through and hopefully create a space people can enjoy. It will revitalise the bottom end of Mortimer Street and Central Parade."

Under the proposals, Beach Alley would not be affected but buildings bordering it would be redeveloped. Mr Mitchell added:

"It could be an arts quarter for Herne Bay, with a real cafe culture feel, and we have already spoken to the Arts Council about their involvement. The idea is that people will be happy to sit there and meet there, with very few cars and lots of space for pedestrians to enjoy."

He said the team was hopeful the development would give plans for the rest of the town centre a boost. These plans stalled after Morrisons pulled out of building a new store, and no other investors were found. Mr Mitchell said:

"This will create the momentum for regeneration of the rest of the town. It will give people confidence. It just has to start and people will see we are investing in Herne Bay and they will follow."

thisiskent 16th Mar 2013

Residents 'in tears' as care home shut down

Eight residents aged 25 to 80 were left in tears when their care home was suddenly closed forcing them into temporary accommodation. Officials from the Care Quality Commission made a shock decision to shut Sea View Lodge in Central Parade, Herne Bay, amid allegations of neglect and abuse. A court order was made at Canterbury Magistrates' Court and the home's registration was cancelled with immediate effect on Wednesday, meaning the eight residents were moved out by Kent County Council staff.

Owner Shahid Sheikh, who denies any wrongdoing and is consulting lawyers, said many were in tears as they left. He believes he has been unfairly treated by the government watchdog and fears the action follows a letter of complaint from a disgruntled ex-employee. The 61-year-old said:

"They were not able to tell me one specific thing that was wrong. If I had made a mistake then I would say 'what needs changing?' But this just doesn't make sense. It has totally come out of the blue."

Roxy Boyce, regional director for the CQC, said they had acted to protect the safety and welfare of people at Seaview Lodge. He said:

"Closing a care home is not a decision taken lightly. However, it became clear that the only way to properly protect residents was to close the home immediately, and move residents to other locations where care is of a better standard."

Mr Sheikh said the home – which received a 'good' rating at its last inspection a year ago – was always run to the highest standards. Some residents had lived there for 20 years and last year's inspection report praised staff for being thoughtful and respectful. Sea View Lodge has been run by Mr Sheikh for the last 12 years and he says recent events have left him devastated.

"It was always like a big family in the home. The residents had everything they needed and I would always spend money to ensure that. In the space of 12 hours this has all happened."

Margaret Howard, director of operations for learning disability at the county council, said staff worked with the Care Quality Commission to find alternative accommodation and kept friendship groups together. She said:

"We will continue to support them and ensure we find them an appropriate permanent accommodation for the future."

HB Times 17th Jun 2011

Flood: Southern Water to blame

HB Gazette 16th September 2010