Category: News

A Massive Thank You to Quinn Estates – Our Main Sponsor

We’re genuinely blown away by the generosity of our sponsors this year – and we’re especially thrilled to announce that Quinn Estates are stepping up as Preston Summerfest’s main sponsor.

Their incredible support means we’re not just able to throw an unforgettable weekend of music, fun and community spirit – we’re also raising money for some truly worthwhile causes. Thanks to Quinns, every ticket sold helps support Demelza Charity, Pilgrims Hospices, and fantastic local groups like Preston Primary School, Preston Tots, and Ash Rugby Club (who you’ll find behind the bar, pulling pints for charity).

Without this kind of backing, our ticket prices would have to be much higher – and honestly, the event might not even happen at all. Quinns’ commitment to the community they work in has made a huge difference, and we’re beyond grateful.

From the bottom of our hearts – thank you, Quinn Estates, for helping make Preston Summerfest possible and for supporting so many brilliant causes along the way.

The Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury has announced that it will be proceeding with the modernisation of its existing and long-serving site in Canterbury.

This is a decision welcomed by Quinn Estates. Over the past decade we have been part of the project to explore the relocation of the hospice, providing land, planning expertise and an agreed sum to construct the hospice.

As widely reported, due to exceptional circumstances beyond the control of all parties involved in this project, including a number of judicial reviews and the constraints presented by the Stodmarsh water neutrality issue, the scheme could not be delivered in the timeframe required by the hospice.

As a long-term partner we understand that they want to be able to deliver the best quality of care to all patients, and without further delay; the decision to modernise the hospice is the right one.

Recent statements from Pentland Homes and the Pilgrims Hospice also reflect this position

https://pentlandhomes.co.uk/news/pilgrims-hospice-update/

Pilgrims Hospices is grateful to Quinn Estates for their donation – Pilgrims Hospices

As we move forward, with all our obligations to the hospice satisfied, our relationship remains strong, and we look forward to further supporting them.

As the hospice works towards modernisation, our team is being made available to provide consultancy, support further fundraising activities and we are delighted to be in discussions about a future naming opportunity.

We will continue to provide regular updates on our progress via our social media channels.

Quinn Estates sponsor the Kent Housing Group Conference 2025; Shaping the future of housing in Kent and Medway.

The Kent Housing Group Conference 2025, in association with Birketts, takes place on Thursday 19 June at the Clive Emson Conference Centre, Kent Showground, Maidstone.

This must-attend event for those involved in the housing industry in the region will bring the sector together to launch the refreshed Kent and Medway Housing Strategy for 2025-30 and discuss the challenges, solutions and opportunities involved in accelerating housing delivery, improving housing conditions and creating sustainable communities.

BBC TV presenter Mark Easton will chair the event, and attendees will include a mix of professionals from organisations involved in the delivery of public and private sector housing, Kent Housing Group members, developers, housing associations, planners, architects, contractors, policy-makers, consultants and special interest groups, all coming together to drive progress.

The conference programme will reflect the themes of the Kent and Medway Housing Strategy:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Working Together for Safer Homes
• Infrastructure First
• Accelerating Housing Delivery
• Affordability

As the Kent Housing Group looks ahead to refresh the strategy for 2025-2030, the conference will play a key role in convening and tasking a coalition of the willing to deliver this exciting growth agenda.

KHG Chair Brian Horton said: “Housing is fundamentally about people and communities, not just bricks and mortar. In addition to informing, educating and enthusing key stakeholders and members, our conference will provide strategic direction and a Kent perspective on the hottest topics and issues facing the housing sector today and into the future.”

Be part of the conversation

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking day at the Kent Housing Group Conference 2025. The event is free for people working in organisations that are members of KHG (limited to five spaces per organisation) and the cost for non-members is £180+VAT if booked by 31 March and £265+VAT thereafter. Register your place here.

Partnering with the conference provides the perfect opportunity to build or strengthen relationships with decision makers in the housing sector across Kent and Medway. If you would like to raise your profile and become part of the conversation, we offer a variety of partnership opportunities. Please contact Shelley to learn more, email scook@wlcreative.org.uk.

Please follow us on LinkedIn or X to keep up to date with all the latest conference news.

Kent Housing Group

The Kent Housing Group is the ‘collective voice’ of the housing sector in Kent and Medway. It has representation from all 12 Kent local authorities, Medway Council, 13 housing associations, Kent County Council and Kent Public Health. KHG also has representation from organisations who work in partnership with social housing landlords, including the Kent Housing and Development Group, Homes England, the National Housing Federation, the National Landlords Residents Association and the South East Housing and Development Group.

For more information about the Kent Housing Group visit www.kenthousinggroup.org.uk

This timeless Christmas charity continues its tradition of delivering gifts to those most in need.

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund is a unique charity that was established back in 1952.  In The last 72 years, they have helped hundreds of individuals and families. And the support from local people and businesses has been immense.

It is a local charity, run by local people to benefit residents. Once again, this Christmas the Charity will distribute gifts in the name of the Lord Mayor of Canterbury to the elderly, isolated, vulnerable and individuals/families in need living in the Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable areas.

The highlight of the charity will be the community carol singing in Rose Square Canterbury on Christmas Eve at 1815, attended by the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin and the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Jean Butcher.

Tony Loughran, Chair of the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Gift Fund said: ‘we are very grateful that Quinn Estates  is helping us fund our Christmas Gifts which make an enormous difference for many Christmas residents in the District of Canterbury.

Mark Quinn, Chairman of Quinn Estates said: ‘We have been inspired by the dedication of the volunteers working with the Lord Mayor in helping those in need at Christmas and feel privileged to be able to assist this very worthy cause and support our local community.

If you wish to make a donation please visit https://www.christmasgiftfund.co.uk/index.php

Mark Quinn, Chairman of Quinn Estates, has been recognised by Kent’s business community for his positive contribution to the county over the past 25 years by being awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent at the Kent Invicta Chamber Awards 2024.

The Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent Award is presented each year to an individual business owner who has made a significant personal contribution to Kent’s economy in terms of jobs and investment as well as giving back to their community through charity, business advice or education.

Presenting this prestigious award at a glittering gala evening held at Westenhanger Castle, Hythe last night (Thurs 21 November) Cllr Derek Murphy, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development said:

“Developers can get a bad name but in the case of our winner, we have someone in Kent who deserves to be recognised for what he delivers for the county, not only in economic and regeneration terms but for what he has personally given back to our community.”

On being presented with his award, Mark Quinn CEO and Chairman of Quinn Estates, said: “Winning this award is an incredible honour. It means a huge amount to be recognised by the fantastic business community in Kent, of which I’ve been proud to be part of for so many years.

“The work I do personally and in business genuinely starts with what I can give back, how as a business I can leave a positive legacy and a stronger local economy. That has always been my starting point and always will be.”

Mark Quinn has worked in the property development sector for more than 25 years, founding Quinn Estates, a business highly regarded for its innovation and ambition in construction but also for providing a lasting community legacy – from supporting grassroots sports with new facilities to local sponsorship through to significant charity support.

Sport is a strand that has run through Mark’s personal and professional success. His passion for grass-roots sports stems from a belief that being part of a team helps young people grow up with a sense of community that sets them on a positive path for their future. His personal sponsorship of local clubs includes Canterbury City Football Club, Wye Tennis Club and Sellinge Under 15s, to name but a few. He also personally contributed a significant sum to ensure the completion of the Herne Bay Sports Hub.

Mark also donates more than £350,000 each year to local community groups and contributes to community events from Canterbury Pride to the annual Christmas lights switch-on. Funding and building a new Pilgrim’s Hospice was his way of thanking the hospice team for the care they showed his late mother – and he continues to support hospices across Kent as well as charities focused on life-limiting conditions such as MS and Parkinsons disease.

His commitment to supporting the education of the next generation included the EKC Group Civil Engineering Training Centre that opened in 2023. This is already making a huge impact in supporting jobs, training and opportunities for young people in Kent.

Cllr Murphey concluded: “Mark Quinn is someone who deserves to be recognised for what he has personally contributed to the county over many years.

Quinn Homes has once again received top industry recognition, securing three prestigious awards at the WhatHouse? Awards 2024.

The awards were presented by Actor James Nesbitt at a glittering gala lunch on Friday 15 November at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London, in front of an audience of 1,300 industry professionals. Quinn Homes secured Gold for Best Small Housebuilder, Silver for Best Energy Efficient Home for Grove Park in Sellindge, and Bronze for Best Apartment Scheme for The Potters Building in Deal.

The Housebuilder Awards recognise the best in the housebuilding industry from design and sustainability to community impact and regeneration. With a heritage of over 40 years, these accolades are a highly respected symbol of excellence in and outside of the industry.

Quinn Homes has once again received top industry recognition, securing three prestigious awards at the WhatHouse? Awards 2024.

The awards were presented by Actor James Nesbitt at a glittering gala lunch on Friday 15 November at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London, in front of an audience of 1,300 industry professionals. Quinn Homes secured Gold for Best Small Housebuilder, Silver for Best Energy Efficient Home for Grove Park in Sellindge, and Bronze for Best Apartment Scheme for The Potters Building in Deal.

The Housebuilder Awards recognise the best in the housebuilding industry from design and sustainability to community impact and regeneration. With a heritage of over 40 years, these accolades are a highly respected symbol of excellence in and outside of the industry.

Quinn Homes has once again received top industry recognition, securing three prestigious awards at the WhatHouse? Awards 2024.

The awards were presented by Actor James Nesbitt at a glittering gala lunch on Friday 15 November at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London, in front of an audience of 1,300 industry professionals. Quinn Homes secured Gold for Best Small Housebuilder, Silver for Best Energy Efficient Home for Grove Park in Sellindge, and Bronze for Best Apartment Scheme for The Potters Building in Deal.

The Housebuilder Awards recognise the best in the housebuilding industry from design and sustainability to community impact and regeneration. With a heritage of over 40 years, these accolades are a highly respected symbol of excellence in and outside of the industry.

A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place to mark the start of work on a new future for Sittingbourne Rugby Club with a two-storey club house, improved sports facilities and state-of-the-art pitches on the way. The facilities will also be available for use by the local community. The year-long build programme should see the club play their first games in 2025.

Kevin McKenna, the MP for Sittingbourne & Sheppey joined a delegation from Sittingbourne Rugby Club, Borden Parish Council and Quinn Estates at the club’s new home in Wises Lane, Borden for the traditional start to the build. The project will deliver six-changing rooms and physiotherapy space, plus a social area with a bar and kitchen that opens out onto a balcony overlooking two new state-of-the-art pitches.

The two rugby pitches will meet both Sports England and Rugby Football Union standards, allowing the club to build upon the success and growth of its junior teams. It also provides the club with a permanent base for the first time, having previously shared the home of Gore Court Cricket Club.

Club president Roger Down, said: “This is a truly defining moment for the club and for the local community. It’s been a long wait to get to this point and we’re grateful to Quinn Estates for the support it has shown in supporting our dream of securing a new permanent home.

“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for us and for the local community too. They will have the use of both clubhouse and pitches, including being able to come and support our home games. We can’t wait to welcome them along.”

Ben Geering, Planning Director at Quinn Estates, said: “We’re delighted to be starting work on a new permanent home for Sittingbourne Rugby Club, part of our commitment to a development that not only delivers high-quality homes but goes the extra mile in providing wider benefits for the community.

“Exciting projects like this involve a huge number of people and on behalf of the club and Quinn Estates we are especially thankful to Stuart Mair from The William Barrow’s Charity, Barratts PLC and Robert Hinge and James Mair from A.Hinge & Sons for funding contributions.”

“Quinn Estates have established themselves as the most proactive mixed-use developer in the South East, focused on delivering jobs, homes, game-changing infrastructure and exceptional community gains. Our mission is to leave a positive legacy, including facilities that can make a lasting difference.”