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MAKE IT MAIDSTONE MAKE IT PROSPEROUS


Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects of the recession and bring prosperity to the borough. We help residents with housing and council tax benefits, heating and insulation grants, home improvement grants, and through support for organisations which offer money advice.


High Street regeneration complete this Autumn


Work is underway on the final phase of Maidstone’s High Street regeneration project. The lower High Street will be repaved, new trees will be planted, and seating and lighting will be installed.


The cannon will be relocated to take pride of place at the centre of the new space whilst a large, granite paved area will be created for people to sit outside restaurants and cafes.


Progress Programme


Progress is a programme designed to inspire and coach you to tackle problems and make positive changes that will benefit you and your family. All courses are free of charge and aim to support and lead you closer to employment. Sessions include - House & Home, Using a Computer, Health & Wellbeing and Employment Skills. For more information, contact Sophie Wardle or Husna Khanam at Progress in Maidstone on 01634 580266 or visit www.progressprogramme.com


Local businesses, the police, bus and taxi companies, the disability focus group and other interested parties were consulted and adjustments were made to the £1.7 million scheme as a result of feedback received.


The works complement the successful completion of Phase One, which saw the upper High Street transformed to include Jubilee Square, a space that has already seen a wide variety of performances, markets and events.


The completed High Street Regeneration scheme is expected to generate £4.5 million of additional visitor expenditure in the town and create nearly 100 new jobs in both the day and night-time economy.


F M Conway is the contractor for the works. Construction will be phased to minimise disruption, and the project is expected to be completed in October 2013.


Start Up Britain


Jump aboard StartUp Britain’s national StartUp Tour at Jubilee Square, Maidstone during the afternoon of Wednesday 17 July.


If you have ever thought about running your own business or growing one get on board the campaign’s double decker bus. It will be filled with start-up experts and business champions ready to deliver free advice and support.


Maidstone’s Cabinet Member for Economic and Commercial Development, Malcolm Greer, said: “This is a great opportunity for Maidstone’s budding entrepreneurs. The advisors will be able to tell them how to get a Start-Up loan, or how to find out about mentoring. I hope it will give them the confidence they need to start up their own business and provide a boost to our local economy.”


The StartUp Britain campaign is supported by top firms, including Intuit, PayPal and BT, and it has the support of the Department for Business, Industry and Skills.


For more information, and to register your attendance on the bus, visit www.startupbritain.org/tour.


Employment for young people


Working with Job Centre Plus, Maidstone council is helping young people find work. Since November last year it has offered work experience placements to 19 young people aged 18-24 and seven have gone on to find paid employment. Any businesses that would like to join the scheme should contact Jennifer Sibley, Employability and Skills Project Officer - 01622 602328 / jennifersibley@maidstone.gov.uk.


Council tax advice — 01622 602003


Housing benefit and general housing advice — 01622 602557


National debtline — freephone 0808 808 4000


Heating and insulation grants - 01622 602470


First time buyers’ grants - 01622 602470


Energy Saving Trust - 0800 512 012


Jobcentre Plus — 01622 702700


USEFUL NUMBERS


Citizens Advice Bureau — 01622 752420 or 01622 757882


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