Latest news from Maidstone’s Business Forum


‘We’re eyeing all options to liven up the High Street’


IT is likely that specialist markets will be held in the square outside Maidstone Town Hall once the High Street regeneration is completed next year.


That was themessage from the bor-


ough council’s business development manager, John Foster. He told the forum it presented an opportunity to “animate” the areawith entertainment and a market of some sort. “We are going to evaluate all op-


tions, to use that space so that more people come into town,” he added. Mr Foster said power and water supplies would be available for musi- cians and stallholders. Cllr Malcolm Robertson insisted the “proper democraticprocesses” are fol- lowed if any changes are proposed in the town. He said if aHigh Streetmarketwere


to be successful it would have to pro- duce a lot more footfall – not just a marginal increase – to keep all the town traders happy. “Don’t spread the jam too thinly,”


TOWN centre manager Bill Moss says the local police serv- ice is “top notch”. He was re- sponding to an address given to the forum by Maidstone commander, Chief Inspec- tor Adrian Futers (pic- tured) about how Kent’s new policingmodel would pan out in the borough.


Town centre ice


cream van rejected MAIDSTONE Council has re- fused a proposal to set up an ice cream van in the High Street, due to fears over pedestrian safety. The borough’s planning de- partment also felt that Elena Viciu’s application to site the van on the pavement outside HSBC would “have a signifi- cant adverse impact upon the character, appearance and func- tioning of the town centre con- servation area and the setting of the surrounding listed build- ings”. The applicant said in plan-


ning documents that she was willing to pay an annual charge of £1,053 to use the site.


Entrances plan


for Lockmeadow A PLAN has been submitted to improve external entrances to the Lockmeadow Centre, Barker Road, Maidstone.


16 Town


he added. Mr Foster said achieving the right “critical mass” to make it viable would be part of the evaluation. Town centre manager Bill Moss had spoken to the Lockmeadow Market manager. His view was that the square would not be big enough for the Tuesday market but might be suitable for specialist mar- kets, such as antiques, food and crafts,which could be supplementary to Lockmeadow. “Once it’s completed, there’s a whole raft of opportunities it opens up,” addedMrMoss. Meanwhile, Mr Foster said it would


be a great space for classical music or jazz during summer. “We would like to put together a programme so we can promote what’s going on through the year.” Mr Foster also said a private com-


pany had approached the council about holding a Christmasmarket but it was too short notice. “Perhaps they can do something for us next year,” he added.


Mr Moss said: “The level of service you give us in the town centre is top notch and has been for a number of years.” He added: “When people ask


me, ‘why is Maidstone so suc- cessful?’ I say, ‘It’s because we all talk to each other; that’s the secret of our success’.” Taxi Proprietors’ Association spokesman Dennis Conyonwas encouraged by the new police


by Peter Erlam Christmas on your doorstep


YOU do not need to travel outside Maidstone for your Christmas shopping – that is the message being heav- ily promoted by the Town Centre Management. Bill Moss said adverts on bus signs and adverts in


local newspapers, including the Downs Mail, and in Wat TylerWay would reinforce the theme.


MAIDSTONE Borough Council assistant director for environment and regulatory services Steve Goulette has replaced MBC chief executive Alison Broom on the board of the Town Centre Management Ltd. She resigned as a director due to conflicts of interests in the two roles.


TOWN centre manager Bill Moss thanked everyone involved in the Make A Difference week in mid-Oc- tober at The Mall for making it such a success.


PLANS by Lashings owner David Folb to take on the closed River Bar nightspot on the banks of the Med- way have fallen through, the forum heard.


Lights’ switch-on at Fremlin Walk


MAIDSTONE’S FremliWalk Christmas lights were switched on on November 24 but there will be no High Street lights due to the on- going regenera- tion works, though there will be some in Bank Street.


Police praised for job well done


set-up and said Maidstone has one of the best-structured night- time economies in the country. He added: “I applaud the way


things are going.” Ch Insp Futers said one rea-


son is that Maidstone is being policed by people who know the area rather than by individ- uals who have travelled in 10 miles and do not know the patch or how it works.


Rotary parking adds festive cheer CHRISTMAS shoppers in Maidstone will benefit from extra weekend parking places thanks to the Rotary Club of Maid- stone. Town centre businesses are allowing parking in lower Earl


Street (opposite the car park entrance to FremlinWalk), Mote Road (with pedestrian exit to Romney Place opposite Mall/ Chequers) and solicitors Kennedys (opposite Ford main dealers Haynes in Ashford Road). These parks are available on the three Saturdays before Christmas from 8.30am to 6pm and on Sunday, December 18 (9.30am to 4pm). Rotarians are being helped by the ladies of the Inner Wheel


Club of Maidstone. Parkers are requested to make a donation to charity.  The Rotary Club is also operating Santa’s grotto at the Mall/Chequers for the second year in aid of local charities.


Car park catering unit request PAUL Handley has applied to Maidstone Council to operate his mobile catering unit from Wickes Extra car park, St Peter’s Street, Maidstone. Store manager Jason Harding has already given consent for


Mr Handley, who lives in Sutton Valence, to operate Mobile Munchies from his premises in return for £100 rent per week. Mr Handley wants to trade between 7am-3pmMonday to Sat- urday and 9.30am-4pm on Sundays.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


There will be no festive High Street lights this year


He wants to see more officers


who know who the trouble- some and problem families are. Insp David Coleman said


crime in the town centre was down by 15% – 250 fewer of- fences than this time last year. “In some categories it’s the low- estwe have seen for five years,” he said. Mr Moss commented: “The biggest difference we have no- ticed in the last 12 months is that we are not seeing the same [offenders’] faces over and over.


Power to Invicta! MAIDSTONE’s Invicta Gram- marSchoolcame76thinthe Sunday Times’ annual guide to the country’s 2,000 top per- forming schools, called Parent Power. Last year Invicta was 83rd. “Naturally, we are de- lighted,” said head of school Julie Derrick.


‘Princess’ parties A BEAUTY salon could be con- verted into a children’s party venue at 39 Royal Star Arcade, High Street, Maidstone. It would be called ‘Once Upon a Party’, which offers a ‘princess’ themed birthday party venue. Maidstone Council will decide on the planning application.


Basement flats idea DOUG Chivers has applied to convert a redundant basement into two separate flats at 66a Boxley Road,Maidstone. The proposal also includes landscaping alterations to form a new basement entrance.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40