Latest news update from Maidstone Business Forum
THE business forum heard about a new charity’s pioneering work in getting young people out of the “unemployment rut”. Friday People founder Nick Ward detailed the despair facing school leavers, 35% of whom can- not currently find work. In addition, one in five graduates are out of work, 60% more than at the beginning of the re- cession. MrWard said: “We are
in danger of having a lost generation. That’s one of the reasons why Friday People was set up. Providing we are successful here, it will be replicated in other parts of Kent and else- where.” NamedbyMrWard
ONE of its success stories is Steve Robinson. A former Maidstone Grammar School student whowent to university, he told the forum how he had spent eight months on Jobseeker’s Al- lowance and lost hismotivation. “I was almost shocked that I couldn’t find a job,” he said. But after joining Friday People, he soon
found out about charity law and how to set up and run a charity. Mr Robinson said thesewere skills hewould
after Robinson Crusoe’s friend, Friday, the char- ity is not a job-placing agency but creates work around its partner charities and community groups, he explained. Young people get a full employment contract,
not have gained if he had returned to educa- tion. “I have learnt about organisation, team work, communications, advertising – such a vast amount, just from being there a short time. “This is an experience that nobody should pass up,” he added.
on projects that involve them developing crucial, on-the-job skills, including project management, fundraising and database management. Mr Ward said they have about 10 charities workingwith them. They have also beenworking with the annual River Festival, to encourage more of its 20,000 visitors to use the town’s facilities. Oneinfour18to24-
year-olds is unemployed and they are Friday Peo- ple’s focus group. Mr Ward said everyone who joined gets tailored training and mentor- ing as part of a partner- ship. They are paid the minimum wage for a minimum 30 hours’ work. One of Friday People’s biggest supporters is Maidstone MP Helen Grant. “I heartily con-
gratulate all those involved,” she side recently. Gullands solicitors firm has provided the charity, whichwas launched in February,with accommo- dation.
Jazz festival – so smooth! MAIDSTONE’s annual jazz festival was the “smoothest” yet – but it needs a new spon- sor for 2012. Ivan White’s Pudding Lane photography business has been the main backer for the past three years but it will be the last time, he told the forum. The event involved a record 11 different venues and three big bands, but the high- light was the appearance of jazz legend Acker Bilk (pictured) at the Great Danes Hotel. “He can still play a hell of a good liquorice stick,” said Mr White of the clarinettist, fa- mous for ‘Stranger On The Shore’.
Town centre manager Bill Moss thanked Mr White. “Without
Ivan’s sponsorship we would not have had a jazz festival. This year’s was the smoothest running we have had.” The challenge now is to find a sponsor for next year, he added.
Oiling the wheels of publicity
A BARONESS was so im- pressed with Maidstone’s volunteer-run Urban Blue busthatshe useditto launch a Government ini- tiative atWestminster. She also presented a £2,000 cheque to the Urban Blue team, which provides medical facilities for clubbers who sustain minor injuries and acts as a “safe haven” for those waiting for transport home after nights out inMaidstone. Helen Newlove was made a baroness
for the work she did in trying to tackle ju- venile alcoholism after her husband Garry was murdered when he chal- lenged three youths who were vandalis- ing her car in 2007. She fronted a recent ITV programme, screened on June 30, featuring Maid- stone’s night-time economy, which in- cluded Urban Blue’s key role. Town centre manager BillMoss told the business forum: “Money could not buy that kind of publicity. Maidstone came out of it smelling of roses.”
24 East
WORK on the much-heralded High Street regeneration is scheduled to start on Monday, September 5, and run for 32 weeks. It will kick off with enabling
works in the Lower High Street – removing planters, the bus lane and traffic lights. Thatwill coincide with new traffic orders which, among other restric- tions,meansmotorists can only enter Mill Street via Pudding Lane.
Maidstone Council’s project manager for the scheme is John Foster. He outlined a communi- cations plan to keep retail- ers, the public and others informed. A liaison office will be set up in King Street to han- dle queries, plus a 24/7 helpline and a dedicated page on the
by Peter Erlam Friday People to rescue of jobless
Nick Ward, founder of Fri- day
People, which helps young people find work
In the CCTV frame TOWN Centre Management (TCM) is on a shortlist of five to run Maidstone’s CCTV system. TCM was among 14 firms
who bid for the contract bandhas now made it through to the Invitation To Tender stage. The new contract will start on April 1 next year.
Communication plan for High Street
council website. Town Centre Management has
set up a sub-group for all stake- holders, who will receive emailed newsletter updates. Leaflets will be distributed to retailers in mid-August explain- ing traffic circulation during the project. Mr Foster said: “There will be temporary disruption. There is no way round that but we want to communicate what will happen as much as we can.” Ivan White, who runs a pho- tography shop in Pudding Lane, called for parking enforce- ment not to be “over-zealous”. Meanwhile, Mr Foster praised
Kent County Council for con- tributing £600,000 to the proj- ect. “Let’s not forget it’s a partnership,” he added.
Retailers still believe in town
NEW retailers are moving intoMaidstone – at the same time as na- tional chains are keeping faith in the town. Costa Coffee has just opened in the former Laura Ashley shop
in King Street, opposite the old Post Office, which itself has been bought by a small group of restaurateurs. Kent Reliance Building Society has opened a branch in High
Street and the old Chiesman furniture store is to become a large Chinese buffet, said town centre manager Bill Moss. Fashion chain Superdry plans to move into vacant premises at
27 FremlinWalk. Though TJ Hughes is closing its Mall Chequers branch, chains
Baroness Newlove hands over the cheque in front of Maidstone’s Urban Blue bus outside Westminster
such asWaterstone’s, Mothercare and Jane Norman, who are shut- ting shops across the UK, are remaining inMaidstone. Mr Moss said: “It’s a great reflection on the strength and buoy-
ancy of Maidstone that they are staying.” The town’s shop vacancy rate is 10.5%, which compares favourably with the rest of the UK (14.5%) and elsewhere in Kent.
New tourist group to promote the borough A NEW tourist organisation has been set up in Maidstone. MarketingMaidstone Town and Country has now become Maidstone TourismAs- sociation and membership is open to companies, individuals, or anyone involved in tourism in the area. The teamworks with supporting bodies that include Visit England, Tourism South East and Visit Kent.
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