WHITBREAD wants a bigger presence in the Medway Towns, according to its regional chief. Paul Cowling, who lived in Kent for six years, says the restaurant, leisure and hotel group is under-represented in Medway.

So much was happening in the area that its existing sites were not enough. But it was not easy finding the right site.

Whitbread brands include Travel Inn, Brewer's Fayre, Brewsters, TGIFs, Marriott Hotels and David Lloyd Leisure. Whitbread wants to expand the Travel Inn at The Honourable Pilot in Gillingham by 30 rooms, creating up to 10 new jobs.

"The occupancy there is outstanding," Mr Cowling said. "I believe we are under-represented in the Medway Towns. It's an opportunity area."

Leisure spending had been buoyant this year, in spite of the legacy of September 11.

"In Kent, we had a tremendously successful year," he said. Even increased spending on housing as prices soared had failed to dent spending on having a good time.

More people are going out rather than cooking at home. While the number of people sitting down to Sunday roast is falling, many are popping down to the local carvery.

Whitbread is investing £2 million in the county next year, much the same as in the present year.

Mr Cowling has spent 14 years with Whitbread. Before that, he was with Grand Metropolitan. He lived in Bearsted from 1988 - 1994 and worked for Medway Inns in Earl Street, Maidstone. He has two daughters, aged 16 and 12.

Although he now lives in Sussex, he keeps a soft spot for Kent. "I just know the place so well, it makes it easier. I know the people, the issues and what's going on."

He admitted that a skills shortage in the catering industry made things difficult.

But Whitbread ran extensive training schemes, including Modern Apprenticeships that gave young people academic and on-the-job training.

"We are trying to find ways of getting the right people and developing them ourselves," Mr Cowling said.