Monday, March 05, 2007

Homeless 'Could Be Housed At Westwood'


by Isle of Thanet Gazunder Social Affairs Editor Benny Fitt

Up to 5000 homeless people could be housed at Westwood Cross if a new plan formulated by Thanet Council goes ahead. Designer outlet T K Maxx is already gearing up for the move by providing a men's home on its first floor.

Now other retailers are poised to follow suit. A spokesman for Homebase, which recently abandoned its Westwood site for a site in Westwood, said they would consider re-furbishing their old Westwood site with furnishings from their new Westwood site if the council green lights the scheme.

'It's a tragedy that homeless people are being left to beg on derelict high streets like Margate,' said a spokeswoman for TDC. 'There's just not the footfall there any more. With this new scheme, they will find plenty of well-heeled shoppers right on their new doorstep.'

She added that the council hopes to get the scheme up and running in time for this year's Christmas rush.

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