insideKENT Magazine Issue 36 - March 2015 | Page 143

BUSINESSNEWS

LONDON PARAMOUNT SECURES LAND FOR PROJECT

Ambitious plans for Kent’s £2 billion Paramount
entertainment resort at Swanscombe have taken
a vital step forward.

As a major entertainment destination, it will offer
a significant employment boost to Kent – with
an estimated 27,000 jobs being created.

Having gained initial planning permission last
year, its developers, London Resort Company
Holdings, have bought a 388-acre former cement
works site for the project.

There has been strong support for the project at
a series of public exhibitions staged over the past
year to unveil plans for the scheme, which will
take several years to build.

The resort is set to offer a spectacular series of
movie-themed attractions. It will have access to
Paramount studio’s huge catalogue including
franchises such as Star Trek, and it aims to draw
more than 50,000 visitors a day.

It has been designated by the government as a
nationally significant project, and will be the first
of its kind for the region. The company behind
the plans has pledged to improve the road
network around its entrance point near the A2.

In another first for the county, it will also feature
a water park attraction, alongside sporting
facilities, restaurants, shops, bars, and hotel
accommodation for 5,000 people.

There will be further consultation events with
residents in Kent during 2015, before the final
planning bid for the resort is put forward later
this year.

The resort, which is known as London Paramount,
is being seen by many as a direct rival to
Disneyland Paris, and will offer a shot in the arm
for the area’s economy.

He said: “This is a game-changing project that
will offer opportunities as a world-class destination.

Speaking on its creation, director, Fenlon Dunphy,
welcomed it as a major asset for the county. He
was hopeful its timetable would remain on track
for a scheduled opening of Easter 2020.

“The scheme has been accepted as a nationally
important infrastructure project, which is
something that only happens in very few
instances.
“This is very much a resort rather than a day-visit
attraction. There will be the Paramount theme
park, but we will also have a number of
entertainment facilities in addition to this including
cinemas, theatre and dining on the site.
“There will be a water park and also a creative
industries hub, which we hope will become a
centre of excellence for businesses.”
www.londonparamount.info

SOLLEY’S SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS
Solley’s Kentish Ice Cream has
been shortlisted twice at the Family
Business of the Year awards 2015.
The company based in Ripple, near
Deal, is a finalist in the regiona
London and South East and
national Food and Drink categories.

www.familybusinessunited.com/r
esources/family-business-of-theyear-regions/london-and-southeast. The overall winners will be
announced at a Champagne
reception at the Mayfair Hotel,
London, in June.

The awards are organised by Family
Business United magazine, the
leading UK resource for the family
business sector. Designed to
celebrate the diversity and success
of family businesses across the
country, it also recognises the
important contribution such
companies make to their local
communities and the national
economy.

Solley’s has been producing real
Kentish dairy ice cream for 30 years,
and is the largest independent
producer in the county. The dairy
sources 85 per cent of its base
products from Kent and all of its
milk and cream from
a Channel Island herd on a
neighbouring farm, keeping food
miles to a minimum.

A judging panel will decide the main
awards; however, Solley’s has also
been entered into the People’s
Choice Award, which is decided
by an online vote. The company
with the most votes by the end of
April will take the crown – Solley’s
fans can register their support at

Managing Director, Stephen Solley

General Manager, Keith Morrison

manager, Keith Morrison, who is married to Stephen’s daughter Katie. The
couple’s sons, William and Alexander, often help out with the business and
even have a range of ice creams and sorbets named after them.
Keith Morrison explains: “Family is at the heart of everything we do here at
Solley’s, so we’re all delighted to be nominated for the Family Business
Awards. It’s an honour to be recognised by a national organisation, particularly
as we are up against businesses from all over the country. The main
categories are in the hands of the judges, but we need all the support we
can get for the People’s Choice Awar d so we’d be really grateful if people
would vote for us.”

Managing director, Stephen Solley,
was born and bred in Ripple into a
farming family; his grandfather, Fred
Solley, started dairy farming in the
area shortly before WWII, and the
business was passed down to his
son, Derek, and then to Stephen.
Now, the day-to-day running of the
business is handled by general

To cast your vote for Solley’s Kentish ice cream, visit
www.familybusinessunited.com/resources/family-business-of-theyear-regions/london-and-south-east.

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