KentOnline

The owner of cafe that opened just weeks ago in Folkestone say it might have to shut already due to a lack of customers.

It comes as traders in the town, recently named the best place to live in the south east, say while the much-hyped harbour area is bustling, parts of the town centre are struggling.

Also in today’s podcast, a controversial 450-home application on farmland in Medway has been given the go-ahead.

The KentOnline Podcast has heard from the Chatham and Aylesford MP says lack of a local plan forced the committee’s approval of the Gibraltar Farm development, despite more than 700 objections. 

The grandfather of two children out littler picking says he was horrified when they uncovered a zombie knife. 

The weapon was found hidden in a bush just weeks before they’re due to be outlawed. 

Maidstone Leisure Centre has been forced to make changes to its special swim sessions after facing backlash on social media. 

Parents accused the facility of being “thoughtless” about the timings of new SEN sessions at the splash pad. 

And in sport, you can hear from the Gillingham manager and midfielder Armani Little ahead of their league two clash this weekend. 

The Gills are sitting top of the table after three games and are looking forward to welcoming Chesterfield to Priestfield. 

A town centre shop has been hit with its second zero-star hygiene rating in less than a year after inspectors uncovered blood-soaked floors.

The business in Ashford received another damning report highlighting a catalogue of failures including poor hygiene practices, damaged equipment and mould.

Also in today’s podcast, a pensioner with a fetish for listening to women urinate claimed he was “desperate” from a stomach upset when caught using ladies’ cubicles.

The 67-year-old was busted in Herne Bay om June this year, when he was subject to a court order banning him from "lingering, waiting and standing" outside public loos.

We’ve spoken to a Kent pub boss about proposals to introduce smoking bans in some areas including beer gardens. 

Some say it will be the final nail in the coffin for the pub industry. 

You can also hear from the manager of a Morrisons daily who tells us why he stayed in the job for 51-years despite once being held up at gunpoint. 

The 65-year-old is giving up his 4am starts after starting with the company as a paperboy aged 14.

And a former vaccine centre in Sittingbourne that has been left empty since the pandemic is being transformed into a “much-needed” cafe and food bank.

The Podcast has spoken to some of the people behind the renovations and what they mean for the community. 

A teacher who paid £2.50 to park at a country park is being threatened with court action from debt collectors.

The operators of the car park at Lullingstone Country Park say he didn't have a valid ticket and are chasing him for payment of a £140 fine. 

Also in today’s podcast, a cannabis smoker spotted driving slowly along a village road claimed she was trying to avoid a large bird after being pulled over by police. 

The 40-year-old also admitted to officers she had cannabis in the car. 

Administrators of a former leisure centre say building homes on the site cannot be ruled out - as the community fights to get the facility reopened.

Folkestone Sports Centre shut suddenly last month after the charity which ran it said it could no longer afford to remain operational.

A derelict seaside shelter that has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour could be given a new lease of life as an outdoor dining space with live music.

The restaurant tycoon behind the refurb of Marina’s Cafe in Margate is hoping to take on the site. 

And as the Paralympics get underway in Paris tonight you can hear from a Kent athlete who’s hoping to make it on the podium this time around. 

Long Jump competitor and 100m sprinter finished Zak Skinner finished 4th at the Tokyo Olympics in the long jump, missing out on a medal by just 3 centimetres.

Furious residents say their estate near Ashford still smells like “rotten eggs” - despite a water company spending £4.3 million upgrading a nearby sewage works.

Some say the foul stench still stops them from opening windows in the summer, while others even have to stop their children from playing outside.

Also in today’s podcast, a cash-strapped garden centre is set for a £3 million overhaul complete with a larger restaurant in a bid to attract more customers.

The owner says he’s struggling to make a profit at the “outdated” site in Folkestone. 

A shopper says she was left “disgusted” after discovering something that looked like an animal’s poo in her salad.

She had almost finished her lunch, which she had bought from Sainsbury’s when she noticed the odd lump.

A teenager and a “frightened” seven-year-old girl had to be rescued after they were found a mile offshore on a paddleboard.

The RNLI was called out to Minster on Sheppey over the weekend. 

And in football it was another weekend to remember for Gillingham who are now sitting top of the League Two table. 

You can hear from boss Mark Bonner on the important the point from their nil-all draw.

Canterbury residents say “disrespectful” tourists eager to take the perfect photograph next to an Instagram hotspot are trashing public flowerbeds.

Set alongside the River Stour, Westgate Gardens is one of the most visited parts of the city, but the near-constant crowds have taken a heavy toll. 

Also in today’s podcast, a decorator who grabbed a child’s face and kissed her on the lips while dancing at Kent’s largest LGBTQ+ pride festival has avoided jail.

The 39-year-old forced himself upon the 13-year-old girl without knowing her age. 

A Southeastern train has suffered “significant damage” after it crashed into the tree, which had fallen onto the line in strong winds which battered the county. 

Kent is feeling the impact of Storm Lillian, as another warning for heavy rain has been issued for the bank holiday weekend. 

Drivers in Medway are being warned they face a hefty fine if they continue to ignore new traffic-free zones set up around schools. 

The School Streets scheme was rolled out six months ago but thousands of motorists are still breaking the rules. 

And you can hear from the Gills boss ahead of their league two fixture this weekend. 

They’ll be hoping to make it three wins from three games in the league as they travel to take on Fleetwood Town. 

Body worn cameras have captured the moment police stopped, tasered and arrested a drug-fuelled driver who was ramming through stationary traffic on the A2. 

He caused “absolute mayhem” when police chased him from the M2 at Medway to Gravesend in a stolen high-value Jaguar.

Also in today’s podcast, bosses of a ‘gorgeous’ garden centre near Wingham which ‘offers solace’ have announced a shock closure.

A sign has been posted on the gates saying this will be the last week of trading – it’s prompted an outpouring of heartfelt messages. 

Good news for foodies, a new M&S food store and BP service station could replace an empty hotel which has been shut for nearly two decades.

The derelict site along the A2 near Gravesend could be set for a new lease of life after closing in 2006.

A support network set up to help Dads across the county is set to expand 

You can hear from the founder of DadSpace and how he plans to help other fathers with their mental health. 

And a restaurant in Folkestone has been given 30 days to fix “unbearable” noise coming from an extractor fan after neighbours likened the constant humming to the sound of a “jet engine starting up”.

Tenants in the flat above say they’re stuck with the noise for 13 hours a day, five days a week. 

A pub boss in Strood says “mindless” teenagers could have killed someone after starting a fire that quickly spread through his beer garden.

The three boys were caught on CCTV setting furniture alight – with the bill for damages reaching £5000.

Also in today’s podcast, a village near Ashford is divided over what to do with an abandoned plot of land which could be turned into either a traveller site or a car park. 

The family lodged an application to make it their permanent home, but a rival bid could see their dreams dashed. 

Plans for an 800-home estate that will double a village’s population have been given the green light despite being slated as turning Kent into a “garden of concrete”.

The proposal for a sprawling development near Canterbury were approved last night despite the fierce opposition from residents. 

The manager of a bar close to one of Kent’s biggest venues say he can’t understand why they’re allowed concerts late into the night, but he can’t play music outside. 

The Margate bar has made an application to put a single speaker on their deck but the local council has recommended it be rejected. 

And residents in Dartford have another mystery on their hands, as postboxes have been repainted to look like some of your favourite chocolate wrappers. 

It comes just six months after others were spray-painted to look like Mr Blobby and a Cadbury’s Creme Egg. 

A young boy cried “Mummy, I’m scared” as they hid from her knife-wielding boyfriend as he chillingly warned: “I’m going to get you!”

The pair cowered in dark alleyways and behind cars after the bare-chested man chased them out into the street from her home in Deal.

Also in today’s podcast, there’s confusion among local leaders as a former prison in Kent is sitting abandoned and empty despite the current overcrowding crisis. 

Blantyre House closed in 2016 for refurbishment but never reopened – but the government say they have “no plans” to bring it back into use. 

Britain's oldest rollercoaster, at an amusement park in Kent, was forced to close after gaping holes appeared in the tracks.

Wooden bars supporting the rails broke due to a “fault” – while passengers were still on the ride. 

The boss of a newly reopened pub has welcomed plans to build 40 homes on its doorstep.

The landlord says he intends to be at the pub near Ashford “for the long-term”, and is excited by the prospect of a new neighbouring estate bringing in extra trade.

And a Netflix star has finally secured permission to extend his Kent home at the third time of asking.

The actor has been given the green light to transform the chalet bungalow in Herne Bay following a planning saga lasting more than two years.

A Kent council has been accused of “raking it in” at the expense of local businesses and residents after hiking charges in a village car park by close to 600%.

Revenue generated by the site in Herne has almost doubled since the daily tariff rocketed from £2.20 to £15 in April.

Also in today’s podcast, a 20-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was stabbed to death in Dartford. 

Emergency services were called to a property in Henderson Drive on Saturday morning after concerns for a person’s welfare and found the victim with multiple stab injuries.

Motorists with cars damaged by potholes in Kent say they are being “shafted” by the council as more than 90% of compensation claims are rejected.

Drivers forced to pay for repairs after hitting one of the many craters across the county argue the local authority should be picking up the bill.

Villagers have stormed a building site after a developer blocked a public right of way.

Borden and Grove Park residents took matters into their own hands as they demanded to know why a footpath had not reopened after a temporary closure order ended.

And in football you can hear from the Gills boss after they made it back to back wins in League 2 over the weekend.

Mark Bonner says it’s all about the result, after they secured a 1-nil victory away at Morecambe. 

Plans to turn a Kent pub run by the the wife of celebrity baker Paul Hollywood into a home have been approved.

The proposals for The Chequers Inn in Smarden were given the green light at a council meeting, despite opposition from residents.

Also in today's podcast, Kent Police is being accused of failing to properly investigate abuse at a former children's home on Romney Marsh.

Youngsters were allegedly subjected to daily violence at the Sandyridge site, run by Denis and Anne May.

They were arrested in 1996 - but were never charged and have since died.

A family have been forced to move to another home after being subjected to a campaign of harassment and abuse by their neighbour.

A court heard how Michael Atkinson from East Malling threatened violence and made racist comments.

The 37 year-old from Chapman's Way has been locked up for 27 weeks and given a five year restraining order.

Parents in Sittingbourne say they're shocked after a blade was found in a children's play area.

A group of youngsters were playing in the sandpit at Milton Creek Country Park when the discovery was made.

Sam Lawrie's got details on everything going on in Kent.

And in football, Bradley Dack has returned to Gillingham.

He left seven years ago after scoring 31 goals during his time at Priestfield.

The 30 year-old - who's married to former Love Island star Olivia Attwood - has now signed a new contract with the Gills.