People are being urged to have their say on proposals to redevelop the disused Trafalgar Centre and multi-storey car park in Chatham. The plans could see the large town centre site demolished and replaced by 200 flats across three buildings, as well as co-working offices and creative space for artists on the ground floor. Kent-based developers Terance Butler Holdings (TBH) are behind the proposals, after it purchased the empty shopping centre and recently-vacated NCP car park for £2.87 million in June last year. A consultation is currently underway inviting residents and other local stakeholders to have their say on the plans. Early designs for the site include the creation of a courtyard space with a new pedestrian link to the High Street, landscape improvements, on-site renewable energy generation and electric vehicle charging points. Improvements will also be made to the appearance of the multi-storey car park behind the Trafalgar Centre, which recently saw operator NCP quit its lease of the 261-space facility. The developer intends to retain around 175 of those parking spaces, although it is not yet clear whether these will be for continued public use or for the residents of the proposed flats. Medway Council's masterplan for Chatham town centre from 2019 said any future redevelopment of the Trafalgar Centre needed to be "carefully considered" alongside plans for the Pentagon Shopping Centre. The developer behind the Trafalgar Centre scheme says its plan will support the redevelopment of brownfield land and provide new, high quality residential accommodation in a sustainable location. TBH claims this will increase footfall in the town centre and assist with ambitions for the town's regeneration whilst supporting local shops and services. Construction of a second “anchor” building in Chatham High Street will compliment proposals for nearby Mountbatten House, it added, which will undergo a multi-million-pound regeneration project starting next year. It also believes that the addition of more creative space as part of its proposals will "enhance and strengthen" the existing Nucleus Arts Centre next door to the Trafalgar Centre. Trafalgar Centre permanently closed in 2013 and has sat derelict ever since.
The 50,000 sq ft property was initially built in the 1960s as a Fine Fare supermarket before closing in 1987 to later become the InShops complex, housing small shops and stall holders under one roof. It was earmarked to be redeveloped into "new, high quality boutique shops" in 2010, although those plans never materialised. Further information about the plans for Trafalgar Centre can be viewed online by clicking here. Comments and opinions can also be directly submitted to the developer via email to [email protected] by Monday, 6 December. Middlesbrough-based pawnbroker Ramsdens is gearing up to open its first store in Kent next month. The firm has taken over the former Virgin Media branch next to JD Sports inside the Pentagon Centre, Chatham as part of its expansion into London and the South East. The branch will open in early December and will see four new jobs created, with applications currently being accepted for a Branch Assistant role. Virgin Media axed its branch in Chatham alongside 25 other locations last year after it decided that it was "not giving us a sustainable or appropriate return in terms of value."
Ramsdens - which has more than 150 stores across the UK - operates in pawnbroking, foreign currency exchange, the buying of precious metals, and buying and selling second-hand and new jewellery. The latest arrival comes just months after rival chain H&T Pawnbrokers opened its second branch nearby in the High Street. Those interested in the full-time Branch Assistant role can apply by sending an email to [email protected] or by visiting the website for further details. UK's largest car park operator, NCP, has quit from its multi-storey car park in Rhode Street, Chatham. The 261-space car park in the town centre has been closed since 28 September and recently saw all of its NCP signage removed. It is believed NCP took the decision to close it after it was unsuccessful in demanding a rent reduction as part of a financial restructuring of its car park portfolio across the UK. A spokesperson for NCP said: "NCP is now no longer running that site and no jobs have been affected as a result of this." However, some sources indicate that the car park is due to reopen after "4 to 6 weeks" under the management of a new operator, who is yet to be revealed. The new operator is said to be exploring options to improve the car park, including a new payment system and extended CCTV coverage. Chatham's NCP isn't the only car park that the operator has suddenly shut in recent weeks, with other sites including a car park in Sheffield city centre and nearby in Ashford. The sudden closure comes just a year after the freehold of both the car park and the former Trafalgar Centre beside it were acquired for £2.87 million by Aylesford-based TBH Real Estate Investments.
No plans for the site have come forward yet, although a planning application is expected to be submitted "shortly", according to sources. Medway Council's masterplan for Chatham town centre from 2019 suggests the site could be appropriate for a new 'Creative Hub' with art & culture facilities, cafes, restaurants and student accommodation. Trafalgar Centre permanently closed in December 2013 and has stood unused ever since. It was initially built in the 1960s as a Fine Fare supermarket before closing in 1987, later becoming the InShops indoor market in the 1990s. HSBC's branch in Chatham High Street is closed for five weeks while a refurbishment gets underway. The bank will see its face-to-face counter removed as part of the makeover, meaning customers will need to use new 'state-of-the-art' self-service machines instead, which will include cash and cheque deposit machines. It will reopen on Thursday, 25 November with a different format, new decoration and new furniture. The new-look branch will also feature an area that can be used for customer seminars, such as talks on financial wellbeing or how to avoid becoming the victim of fraud. Jordan Osbourne, HSBC's local director for the area, said: “We are continuing to invest millions of pounds into our branch network to create an enhanced experience for our customers, including those in Chatham.
"The changes that we are making to our Chatham branch will mean customers have a much more modern branch, with increased space in the banking hall. I am delighted that we are continuing to be there for our customers and the local community. “Whilst we are investing in our branch network nationally as well as in Chatham, the overall direction of travel for customer behaviour is quite clear - customers are becoming more comfortable primarily using online and mobile banking to take control of their finances, turning to other channels for very particular interactions. Existing staff will be available in the banking hall rather than behind the counter to assist customers who are less confident using self-service options. Customers can also complete day-to-day transactions at their closest Post Office. The decision to remove the face-to-face counter at the Chatham branch was first revealed in July this year, blaming a decline in footfall figures. |
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