KentOnline

In today’s podcast, businesses in Maidstone town centre are concerned fewer people will visit as M&S prepares to close.
Also today, the Archbishop of Canterbury has a special message for the people of Kent on Christmas Eve.
Foodbank volunteers have been busy making sure families don’t go hungry over the festive period.
And, we’ve been looking at why so many TV shows and movies are filmed in Kent.

In today’s podcast, a Medway sex offender has appeared in court dressed as a Christmas elf. KentOnline’s Paul Hooper has the details.
Also today, public health bosses in Kent are urging people to get their booster jab. We speak to KCC’s Interim Director of Public Health as cases continue to rise in the county.
With fears of new Covid restrictions after Christmas, thousands of tickets remain unsold for Panto’s across Kent. 
We continue our conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who’s told us refugees need to be treated with more respect.
And, a child’s made his piano busking debut to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

In today’s podcast, a teenager who stole his grandad’s Land Rover and crashed into a pub near Ashford has avoided jail.
£20million could be spent on bringing some seaside fun to Sheppey.
Also, hear from the owner of a Kent Wine Bar as they prepare for Christmas, amid rising Covid figures.
We speak to Kent Councillors, who are calling for a crackdown on the abuse towards politicians.
We’re also continuing our conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Justin Welby says it’ll be a difficult Christmas for families who are struggling financially because of the pandemic.
And, Canterbury’s Pantomime Dame has told the KentOnline podcast there’s still a place for the character in today’s society.

The Chancellor’s announced new measures to support businesses in Kent. We get reaction from Tudor Price from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.
We also hear from Alan Brookes, former chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers, about uncertainty for schools as Covid figures continue rise.
We continue our conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who gives us advice on looking after our mental health during the pandemic.
There are concerns Kent’s homeless could face a cold and lonely Christmas. We speak to Stephen Nolan from the Gravesham Sanctuary. 
And, a Medway family has managed to raise more than £1,000 to buy a radio aid for their partially deaf son.
 

A former police firearms instructor has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his daughter’s partner in Dartford. KMTV’s Jadzia Saumel has more.
Also in today’s podcast – Water company bosses are threatening to take action as some Kent residents refuse to pay their bills.
We speak to Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, as a new survey finds most women and girls in Kent don’t feel safe in public spaces at night.
We’ve also been chatting to the Archbishop of Canterbury, about the possibility of further Coronavirus restrictions.
A Kent business says that building new houses on the Chatham Docks Industrial Estate would ‘destroy livelihoods’.
And, hear from an army veteran from Medway who’s been named the World’s Strongest Disabled Man.

A commuter service that has taken passengers between Medway and London for almost 40 years is being scrapped.
Kings Ferry say they will stop the route on Christmas Eve.
Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher on why the decision has been made and what the reaction has been.
Also in today’s podcast – ‘one more strike and he’s out’.
North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale has given a stark warning to the Prime Minister following a defeat for the Conservatives in a by-election in North Shropshire.
As France prepares to close its border to travellers from England we speak to a Chatham woman who’ll miss out on seeing her brother for the first time in two years.
The decision has been made in a bid to stop the spread of the Omicron Covid variant – but thousands will miss out on festive holiday plans.
Katya Fowler says it’s devastating.
A travel agent from Tunbridge Wells has also been reacting to the news.
We’ve been along to a turkey farm in Sevenoaks to hear about the Christmas they had last year and what they’re hoping for this December with just over a week to go until the big day.
And, find out which star will be taking to the stage in Kent tonight as the Wicked Queen.

The Prime Minister has been in Kent to see for himself the rollout of the emergency Covid vaccine booster programme.Boris Johnson announced on Sunday he wants everyone to have had a third jab by the end of the year, in a bid to further protect people from the Omicron variant.Hear what the PM had to say to our reporter Oliver Kemp during his visit.Cases of the new variant are rising sharply which has led to France deciding to close its border.From Saturday you won’t be able to travel across the Channel for a holiday or for business unless you have a ‘compelling reason’ to be there.We’ve been speaking to Chris Parker from DFDS Seaways which runs cross-Channel ferry services from Dover.Also in today’s podcast, a damning report has revealed the poor conditions being used to house asylum seekers after they arrive on the Kent coast.The Chief Inspector of Prisons has spoken about their findings. We’ve also got reaction from Kent Refugee Action Network and a statement from the Home Office.Gillingham have been forced to call off this weekend’s game in league one.And find out which player is returning to play cricket in Kent next summer.

A man who murdered two women in Kent more than 30 years ago has been told he’ll die in prison.David Fuller killed Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells in 1987.The crimes went unsolved for decades until advances in DNA technology led to the 67-year-old’s arrested at his home in Heathfield in East Sussex last December.As officers searched the property they discovered evidence he had also abuse the bodies of almost 100 women in mortuaries at hospitals where he worked as an electrician.At Maidstone Crown Court he was sentenced to 12 years for those crimes to run concurrently with two whole life orders.Hear reaction from outside the court.Also in today’s podcast, you’ll now need a Covid pass to get into nightclubs, football stadiums and concert venues.The idea was voted in by MPs last night, despite almost 100 Conservatives rebelling against the Government.And, as the hospitality sector suffers from cancelled Christmas bookings in light of the spread of the Omicron variant, we speak to a hotel manager and pub boss on how they think the festive period will pan out.It’s been revealed Dartford has the highest rate of homelessness in Kent – with one in every 172 people without permanent accommodation.Hear from charity Shelter who have released the data.The man who set up the Street Soccer Foundation speaks to us about a charity match they’ll staging at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium this week.A number of celebrities will be taking part to help raise funds for the work they do in schools.And, find out if Kent’s Zak Crawley has made it into the England side for the second Ashes Test in Australia.

The mum of a man who has been missing from Deal for more than two weeks has made a heartfelt appeal for him to get in touch.Alex Holland was last seen on Sunday, November 28.The dad-of-two said he was popping out for a cigarette and hasn’t been heard from since.Rachel Holland says she’s concerned he could be hurt and is desperate to know what has happened to the 27-year-old.Also in today’s podcast, we have the latest on Covid as MPs prepare to vote on new Plan B restrictions in a bid to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant.It’s thought as many as 75 Tories will vote against the idea of Covid passports to get into certain venues.We’ve also been asking if you’re still planning to go to a work Christmas party this year as some restaurants start to report booking cancellations and deferrals.The MP for Dover has been speaking in the Commons about a young girl in her constituency who needs cannabis based medication to control epileptic seizures.Teagan Appleby’s parents are still having to pay for the drugs despite a change in the law. Hear what Natalie Elphicke has had to say.And an iconic Margate venue is set to close for a year as investigations are done into how it can be preserved for future generations.Our business editor Chris Britcher explains what the future could be for the Winter Gardens.

A mum says she’s been forced to barricade herself in her council flat with her young son because she feels so unsafe.Laura Jones is originally from Thanet but has been put in emergency accommodation in Folkestone because no properties nearer to home were available.Despite being grateful for having a roof over their heads, she says she fears for her and her son’s safety due to the behaviour of a neighbour.Hear what Thanet District Council have had to say about the situation.Also in today’s podcast, hear from our reporter Alex Jee as he joined a queue of people waiting to get a Covid booster jab after the Prime Minister announced we should all have one by the end of the month.Dr Jack Jacobs, who’s a GP near Ashford, has been reacting to the ambitious target.And, the owner of a shared work space in Rochester chats about the new work from home guidance that has come into force.A man who used to be homeless has been speaking about landing his dream job helping others who’re on the streets.Richard O’Neill has been speaking to our reporter Katie Heslop.And the Gillingham manager has been reacting to their latest defeat in league one.Steve Evans’ side have now gone eight games without a win after losing 2-1 to Fleetwood Town on Saturday.