Next focuses on Eclipse Park home store Continued from page one


heels of the town centre closure of Jessops and uncertainty over the Maidstone branches ofHMVand Blockbuster after they fell into administration. CllrWendy Hinder, who represents Boxley


Ward, said it was unfortunate the town cen- tre shop had to close, but thiswas already on the cards before the new plans were un- veiled. She said: “Whether we like it or not, the concept of shopping is changing and town centres are changing. In the current climate, we need to welcome anything which pro- tects and creates jobs.” The proposedNextHome store is expected to create 180 jobs – ofwhich 128 will be new


Childcare praise CHILDREN who attendMrs B’s Daycare in ChapmanWay, East Malling, were happy and set- tled, Ofsted inspectors found. Theywere involved in activi-


ties, learned about safety and knew what to do in an emer- gency. Staff worked well to- gether and with the children and there were excellent safe- guarding procedures. Parents said they were im- pressed with the progress their children made at the centre. Inspectors said the provision


was good, but could become outstanding if staff encouraged children’s independence more at lunchtimes.


jobs if the town centre staff opt to transfer. Although the town centre lease is due to


expire later this year, a spokesman for Next said an extension might be requested to allow completion of the new store and a smooth transition of staff. Next has submitted a planning application


for the J7 site but it is unlikely to be deter- mined before April. Even if planning per- mission was to be granted, it would be 2014 before new staff commenced work. The company insists that the choice of Maidstone for its new showcase store will draw traffic away from the Medway towns and other parts of the county. “This will increase the profile as a place


for new investment,” said a briefing note, seen by Downs Mail. “It will provide mate-


rial spin off benefits for the town centre and the wider area.” The value of the investment proposed by


Next and Gallagher Properties amounts to £9m and Iain Allsop, regional estates man- ager atNext said there had been a favourable reaction to the company’s plans for the Eclipse Park. Paul Alcock, manager of The Mall, said it


did not come as a surprise to him that Next was to leave at the end of its 25 year lease. He said: “I suspect they would have gone from theMall in any event, even without this planning application on the table. “Maidstone is a very strong town. Com-


pared to the national average, our number of empty shops is very low.”


Zoo theme to park’s new play area


WORKisnowwell underwayoninstalling thenewplay equipment at Cobtree Manor Park. Phase one of the play equipment, including a dou-


ble cableway and a rope swing, has been completed, with phase two (pictured), based on the theme of the old Maidstone Zoo, currently being built. There are plans to refurbish the car park, carry out


tree worksk, lay new path networks and create a sculpture trail. “The aim of the work is to encourage more people


tocomeanduse the park,” saidacouncil spokesman. The play equipment is already proving a success,


with visitornumbers increasingby39%since itwas in- stalled. A project information day was held last month to


show residents and visitors some of the exciting de- velopments and to discuss plans still in the pipeline.


Phase two of the play equipment is being built Representatives of the council, along with the Cob-


tree Charitable Trust,were on sitefor users tofindout more about the ongoing projectwork.


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