Home   Authors   Author

Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

Town full of HMOs to get another one - in 18th-century building

30 December 2024
Town full of HMOs to get another one - in 18th-century building

Permission has been granted to turn an office building into a house in multiple occupation right in the heart of a town centre.

People asked to pay more for policing

30 December 2024
People asked to pay more for policing

The public are being asked if they are willing to fork out more money to fund Kent Police.

9

Refurb for town centre McDonald’s

30 December 2024
Refurb for town centre McDonald’s

McDonald’s is looking to smarten up a town-centre restaurant with new signage and glazing.

1

New Masterchef judge names Kent restaurants in her best of 2024

28 December 2024
New Masterchef judge names Kent restaurants in her best of 2024

Food critic Grace Dent has named two Kent restaurants among her best choices in 2024.

Woman hospitalised after labrador knocks her over

28 December 2024
Woman hospitalised after labrador knocks her over

A woman needed treatment in hospital after a labrador knocked her over in the park on Christmas Day.

Woman dies in house fire on Christmas Eve

28 December 2024
Woman dies in house fire on Christmas Eve

A woman has died in a house fire on Christmas Eve.

1

Mobile home fire spreads to nearby car

28 December 2024
Mobile home fire spreads to nearby car

Firefighters tackled a blaze at a mobile home which reached a car parked nearby.

Police hunt man dressed in camouflage who exposed himself

28 December 2024
Police hunt man dressed in camouflage who exposed himself

Police are hunting a man who exposed himself to a woman while walking along a footpath.

‘We have a lorry ban, but it’s not enforced’

27 December 2024
‘We have a lorry ban, but it’s not enforced’

Villagers are growing fed-up with HGVs trundling along their country roads, but the council says there’s nothing they can do to stop them.

13

Council should ‘take on conversion of former nightclub to flats’

26 December 2024
Council should ‘take on conversion of former nightclub to flats’

A former nightclub should be redeveloped by the council as temporary accommodation for the homeless, it has been suggested.

1

Free park-and-ride for hospital users

23 December 2024
Free park-and-ride for hospital users

A medical trust is launching free park-and-ride shuttle services to its hospitals in the New Year.

More double yellow lines on the way

22 December 2024
More double yellow lines on the way

People are being asked to give their views on proposals for double yellow lines in their streets.

4

Changes to improve safety after death of young paramedic

22 December 2024
Changes to improve safety after death of young paramedic

SECAmb says it has reacted to criticisms by a coroner following careless driving by an ambulance driver that caused the death of a paramedic.

2

‘Our family has fought fires for four generations - even after tragedy hit’

22 December 2024
‘Our family has fought fires for four generations - even after tragedy hit’

Four generations of one family have been fighting a town’s fires for over 120 years - with one making the ultimate sacrifice.

‘Sewage spillage has left me with 100 bales of rotting hay’

21 December 2024
‘Sewage spillage has left me with 100 bales of rotting hay’

A farmer claims he has been left in the lurch by Southern Water after a sewage spillage ran through his farmyard and “soaked and ruined” it.

5

Kent pool named best in the UK

19 December 2024
Kent pool named best in the UK

A council’s newly refurbished splash pool has won a national award.

1

£60m regeneration project taking shape

19 December 2024
£60m regeneration project taking shape

Phase one of a huge development project is ready to see the start of construction of the first affordable homes.

3

Huge delays as engineers struggle to find gas leak

18 December 2024
Huge delays as engineers struggle to find gas leak

SGN is working around the clock to repair a gas main on a busy route - and more roadworks are coming.

2

Retirement homes project creates jobs for construction trainees

17 December 2024
Retirement homes project creates jobs for construction trainees

A 140-home retirement community is a step closer to fruition after the appointment of a main contractor.

1

New car showroom for Ford, Mazda and Kia at former John Lewis site

17 December 2024
New car showroom for Ford, Mazda and Kia at former John Lewis site

A family firm with a long history has been helping spread festive cheer ahead of opening new car showrooms.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More