Town Centre Management update: Maidstone Business Forum Restaurant


plan agreed A REVAMPED restaurant proposal for the former home of Andrew Broughton in Earl Street, Maidstone, has been accepted. Maidstone Council’s plan-


ning committee refused an application from Neale Jack- son in January after voicing concerns at the inclusion of a glass box to infill an external courtyard at No 31 – the 17th century home of Mr Broughton, who was court clerk in the trial of King Charles I. Mr Jackson said the latest scheme would include tradi- tional materials in the court- yard area. Council officers were happy with the design and granted planning permission on condition that an archae- ologist is involved in excava- tion works. Use of the first floor terrace


was restricted to 7am to 11pm.


Fewer living


on the streets THE number of homeless people living on the streets of Maidstone has been reduced after police worked with sup- port agencies to move them on to appropriate accommo- dation. Town centre Sgt Nick Sparkes updated themeeting on the actions taken. Town Centre Manager Bill


Moss reported that the tents in the old graveyard at the top of Union Street had been taken down and that inci- dents of “doorway lodging” were decreasing. He added that there had


been a reduction in “street defecation” and in discarded needles being found. It was noted that sites iden-


tified by Town Centre Man- agement in 2008 as suitable for Big Issue sellers had not been taken up.


Vacant units up THERE has been a slight in- crease in the number of va- cant retail units in Maidstone since the last survey was con- ducted in November 2012. Vacancies have risen from


8.5% to 9.7%. This represents 68 empty units, 24 more than previously recorded. But the town is not in retail melt- down, according to BillMoss, who said that because the last survey was taken in the run- up to Christmas, the busiest retail period, it could have been artificially high. The national retail vacancy rate is running at 14.6%.


No money to spend a penny


THE lack of ladies loos in Maid- stone is posing a problem for late-night revellers. While the pop-up urinal out-


side the Town Hall has helped resolve the problems for men caught short, no such facilities exist for women – and the coun- cil can’t afford them. Town Centre Manager Bill


Moss told the Night Economy Forum that hiring a stand of Portaloos or similar would


come at enormous cost, which the TCM could not afford. Grants previously given to MaidSafe have now been di- verted to the Police and Crime Commissioner, meaning the council could no longer afford to fund such a facility either. TCM chairman Paul Alcock


said the problem was universal and not confined to Maidstone. “Every town has a similar problem at night,” he said.


Bright new hope for


The ‘community loo’ system, whereby shoppers and visitors can drop into local businesses who support the initiative, was no use at night when the prem- ises were closed. The street pastors, who help


outwith the Urban Blue Bus, on Friday and Saturday nights, have been most affected by women caught short as they tend to use the alleyway near their base at Switch Café.


Town Hall MAIDSTONE Town Hall is getting a facelift.


Repairs are being carried out to the roof and windows and the outside is being cleaned and redeco- rated, as part of a plan to improve the aspect of Jubilee Square.


The work, which is


costing Maidstone Council more than £114,000, is being carried out by DCB (Kent) Ltd and is ex- pected to take eight weeks to complete.


Taxi scheme funds run out


THE money has run out for the Saturday night taxi-marshalling service. It costs about £10,000 a year


to provide staff regulated by the Security Industries Authority (SIA) to ensure that town centre revellers get home peaceably. Dennis Conyon, of the Maid-


stone Taxi Proprietors’ Associa- tion, said the system was working well in ensuring that trouble did not break out, but expressed disappointment that Maidstone Borough Council would not be contributing to the scheme, which was a matter of public safety. Cllr Dan Daley pointed out that


the scheme only benefits one part of the community and


would be considered a “sectional interest”. The borough council had put a significant investment into town centre CCTV, which was a safeguard for all. The meeting took the oppor-


tunity to thank councillors who had given private donations to keep the service going. These include Cllr Fay Gooch, Cllr Cynthia Robertson and Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie. There had also been a contribution from Maidstone street pastors. It was discussed that the Safer Maidstone Partnership may have a role to play in support- ing the scheme, but for now a skeleton service would be oper- ating, providing cover for one Saturday a month.


Square dug up WORKMEN have once again been digging up the granite paving in Jubilee Square. Workers from BT Openreach


had to excavate a three-metre stretch of the pavement in order to repair a defective RSJ (rolled steel joint) which was support- ing the roof of an underground chamber.


Maidstone Council, which


only completed the works on the shiny new square last year, has emphasised to Kent County Council it expects to see the same high standards of work- manship when the paving is re- instated.


Security links THERE are plans to link busi- nesses together to boost secu- rity.


Intelligence manager Peter Cackett who manages the crime reduction partnership on behalf of Town Centre Management, said he wants to be able to act quickly to inform businesses if a scam is being operated, or to warn them of fake bank notes or fraudulent credit cards in cir- culation.


Directory is a scam BUSINESSES are being warned of a scam involving a directory called UK Corporate Portal 2013. The firm behind it is asking bosses to submit their VAT numbers and sign a form, which commits them to a legally-binding agreement.


Two new members There are two new members of Town Centre Management – Geo Media and Wonderland nightclub.


Concert to get you in the mood for summer


IF summer seems to have been a long time coming, Bearsted Choral Society has come up with a concert to make sure everyone gets into the swing. The summer concert – ‘In the Mood’ – promises an evening of music to suit all ages. Popular pieces by George Gershwin and Cole Porter ac-


company more contemporary items from Andrew Lloyd- Webber and popular choral composer John Rutter. Melodies to look out for in-


clude Begin the Beguine, Let's do it, ’S wonderful, Feel the Spirit and a compilation from theWest End shows. The concert is at Holy Cross


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Church in Church Lane, Bearsted, at 7.30pm on Satur- day, July 20. Tickets are now on sale from Music Matters in Week Street (opposite the Soci- ety Rooms) or from the ticket secretary on 01634 666730. Tickets may also be available


on the door on the night, sub- ject to demand.


East 31


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