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WORK on a new doctors’ surgery in Bower Mount Road,Maidstone has stopped because the contractor building it has gone into ad- ministration. The brand new medical practice, complete


with pharmacy and accommodation, was due to replace King Street Surgery, which is cur- rently split between two buildings, one in King Street the other in London Road. How- ever, before the building was even half-fin- ished Hilife Construction Company went into administration and work ground to a halt. The search isnowonto find someone to fin-


ish the job. Practice managerWendyWilkins confirmed


the other two surgeries would remain open until thenewfacility has been completed. She said there would be no extra cost to the NHS. She said: “It would have been ideal to move


in during the summer as planned, but we re- spect and understand the problems that have occurred for the developer.” She hopes to move into the newbuilding by November, and not July as originally planned.


However, Kevin Matthews, an associate at GDM Architects in College Road, agent of the project’s developerGPGNo5 Ltd, toldDowns Mail the search was on to find someone to fin- ish the job: “The developer is finding a con- tractor to continue with the project and we hope to have found someone within the next four weeks. The building is around40%com- plete at the moment. “I believe the new surgery will open later now. I can’t give an exact timescale until we


Maidstone Town Edition June 2013 No.194 New doctors’ surgery put on hold


have found a new contractor.” He was unable to say whether the delay


would add to the cost of the project and who would have to foot the bill if that were the case. According to reports, Hertfordshire- based Hilife, which was founded in 1972, called in administrators on February 18. The project involves demolishing a single-


storey extension attached to the building in Bower Mount Road and replacing it with a two-storey structure. The main Victorian building,most recently used as offices, will be refurbished. Seven doctors, two practice nurses, an as-


sistant practitioner, health care assistant, prac- tice manager and 11 administrative staff work across the two current buildings, catering for about 11,000 patients. Some medical services are only available in


the main King Street building, while patients could be sent to either site if they request an emergency appointment. Neither surgery has dedicated parking spaces and disabled access is considered inadequate at both sites.


Joyful Stones celebrate promotion


MAIDSTONE United’s first season back in the county town since 2001 ended in glory, with the club clinching promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division. Asell-out crowdof 2,226 sawthe


Stones secure their return to the higher league after a two-year ab- sence, with a 3-0 win over Faver- sham in the Division 1 South play-off final. It was the fourth time the club


had attracted more than 2,000 supporters since theGallagherSta- dium opened in August last year. The average attendance for the season was 1,668 – more than doublewhatthe clubhadbudgeted for last August. United chief executive Bill Williams said: “It has been a won- derfulexperience,but the realhigh was whenwe opened the stadium. It had been somany years coming. “We thought there would be


Celebrate Maidstone honours heroes P3


gates of 800 people over the year, but we have doubled that. We would have been happy to be there or thereabouts in terms of promo- tion, butwe have actually gone up by the play-offs. “We are now going to gear our-


selvesupto improvethesquadand try to win the league again in a year’s time. There willbethosewho say we should settle for mid table, butwe have to be ambitious.” Should theStonesearnasecond


Chimney pot tax may aid infrastructure P4


successive promotion they will enter Conference Southas theonly club with an artificial playing sur- face. “We would have to put the case


of our pitch forward to the Confer- ence, because they have not yet got it in their constitution to allow it,” Mr Williams said. Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders has signed a newcon- tract to stay at the club for the 2013/14 campaign.


Firm steps in to save children’s parties


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River festival needs cash


TOWN traders and boat-own- ers are being begged to support Maidstone’s annual river festi- val – which could sink without financial support. Martin Cox, whose father was


the original organiser 36 years ago, said unless a sponsor – or sponsors – were forthcoming, it would be impossible to stage a festival which would live up to people’s expectations. Although funding from Maidstone Council covers es- sential administration, such as licensing, health and safety and enforcement, money is always needed to cover what he de- scribed as the “fun element” of the festival. A sum of just £7,000 could secure the festival this year – with even more financial sup- port leading to a bigger and bet- ter event. Mr Cox, who organises the event in a personal capacity but is also aMaidstone borough councillor, said:


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