insideKENT Magazine Issue 62 - May 2017 | Page 158

NEWS CHIDDINGSTONE'S FAMED CASTLE INN REOPENS ITS DOORS The historic Castle Inn at Chiddingstone has been brought back to life again this spring after being restored to its former glory. The much-loved local pub, located in a Grade II* listed building at the heart of this National Trust owned Tudor village, had been closed since April 2016. Now, however, it has reopened its doors following a sympathetic facelift with new furniture and fittings throughout. “We have made the most of the lovely historic features while also giving the inn a fresh, welcoming feel,” says proprietor Nick Naismith, who lives locally and also owns The Wheatsheaf at Bough Beech. “It was very important to us to respect the incredible heritage of the building, so we have preserved all the fireplaces, tiled floors and oak panelling, but have also redecorated throughout.” The reopening of the pub was marked by the cutting of a ribbon by local resident Annie Gilbert who has lived next door to the pub for 30 years. Long a fan of the inn, she would visit even before she moved to the village. “It’s such a stunning building, in such a beautiful setting, and everyone was devastated when it closed as it’s such a major part of the village,” says Annie, “Needless to say, we are over the moon to see it open again.” www.castleinnchiddingstone.co.uk THE LEARNING SHOP AT BLUEWATER PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHARITY TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT TRAINING FOR THE HOMELESS MULTI AWARD-WINNING LUXURY CAT HOTEL OPENING IN MARGATE Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel Margate, part of the multi award-winning Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel Group is nestled in the peaceful garden of Judith Andrews’ beautiful family home, located on the North Thanet coast just a stone’s throw from the sea. The five-star accommodation offers thermostatically controlled bedrooms leading to safe garden play areas, allowing cats to enjoy an environment that is close to the one they are used to at home. Every detail has been meticulously planned with guest welfare, luxury and hygiene in mind. Feline guests will keep their owners’ minds at rest with regular updates and photographs whilst they are away. Judith says: “We are so excited about opening the first Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel in Kent, and can’t wait to offer our guests and their owners exceptional service and loving care in our stunning hotel by the sea.” 158 Bluewater’s pioneering on-site recruitment and training facility, The Learning Shop, has partnered with local charity Porchlight, to provide a new employment scheme that will help homeless people in Kent get back into work. The week-long training course, held by The Learning Shop at Bluewater, helped disadvantaged people overcome barriers they’ve previously faced, due to lack of recent work experience or relevant skills, by offering valuable advice and guidance on securing employment. In addition to the training, Bluewater and The Learning Shop have also helped to remove other barriers that can hold back the Porchlight residents when it comes to finding work by covering their travel costs and providing clothes for job interviews. The Learning Shop has taken their details and areas of work they are interested in, with the hope of matching them to upcoming vacancies at Bluewater. Mark Pinkney, Porchlight’s employment coordinator, said: “The importance of finding and holding down a job is more than just receiving a monthly salary, and we’re really grateful to Bluewater, Land Securities and The Learning Shop for their support.”