Funky parties A COMPANY offering chil- dren’s parties has been given permission to replace an indus- trial unit at 48 Wheeler Street, Maidstone. Janet Swannell-Holroyd has
been given the go-ahead to run Funky Footsteps from the building, on condition that daily opening hours are re- stricted to 9am-9pm. Maidstone Council also stated that the premises should be used for no other purpose than for hosting children’s
parties and
dance/performanceworkshops. The building was, until re- cently leased by a marketing company, having previously been a dance school and carpet warehouse. Funky Footsteps was set up
in August 2011 and offers two- hour dance parties for children aged three to 11.
Home at clinic PAUL Creasey has applied to add a residential element to a chiropody clinic in Lenham. In September 2011, planning permission was granted to con- vert a home at 3 Maidstone Road into a chiropody clinic. The applicant now wants to convert the first floor into liv- ing accommodation, while re- taining the business use. Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.
‘Rates forced me out of town’
THE owner of a dry cleaning company has blamed soaring business rates after moving his business from the town centre to Vinters Park. Glenn Bushen had run Beau-
care from Gabriels Hill for 26 years, but says the two-mile move to Snowdon Parade will save him thousands of pounds a year He told Downs Mail: “This is
not something we have done lightly, but had we stayed in the town another two years, I think the crazy rates would have cost me my business. “No one wants to work 10-
hour days, six days a week with nothing to show for it, other than covering the rates and rent.” He says the rates on his slightly smaller premises in Snowdon Parade are a tenth of those at his old premises in Gabriels Hill, but still allow him to offer a complete service and with parking right outside. Mr Bushen says his town cen-
tre rates bill was nearly £6,500 a year–morethanhis rent–and with the lease coming up in No- vember he started looking else- where. He said: “The Mall’s manager,
Paul Alcock, went out of his way to find somewhere cheaper for us to stay in town, but while we could find cheaper rents, the
than the Government.” George Bastone, of Ark Trad-
ing, moved his workwear busi- ness to The Mall two years ago and says unless he can find an- other trader to share the over- heads hewill also have to leave. He said: “I managed to get a
good deal on the rent here be- cause the unit had been empty, pretty much, for four years, but the rates are ridiculous.” He has to find over £1,000 a
rates were non-negotiable. One three-storey building in King Street would have cost me £12,000 a year in rates alone.” Mr Bushen said there was no
point asking the borough coun- cil for a rate reduction.He did so three years ago, and got £60 off, but the council simply added it to his bill the following year. He said: “It’s hardly surprising
there are empty units in the town. This lack of help for small businesses will simply see more shops close.” Mr Alcock admitted the issue
was causing concern, saying: “Our High Street and Fremlin Walk have some of the highest rated buildings in Kent. It wouldn’t be so bad if the money came back to Maidstone, rather
week for rates and has called on the council to think “outside the box” to come up with newways to offer some form of subsidy while businesses establish them- selves. A spokesman for Maidstone Council said: “Supporting Maid- stone’s economy is a priority for the borough council, and we offer significant support to local businesses and shops, including business rate relief schemes for small and rural businesses, sig- nificant investment in the High Street regeneration scheme, and funding for Town Centre Man- agement and the Town Team. “Maidstone’s shop vacancy
levels have remained stable for many years, and we are pleased to see new businesses confi- dently investing in town centre locations, includingWagamama, The Range, Brenchley, Pops tea bar, Giggling Squid and Morri- son’s Local.”
A full festive dinner and not a saucepan in sight.
What more could you want for Christmas?
CHRISTMAS SELECTION PACK for only £29.95 + FREE Tea Towel
Christmas is a time for putting your fChristmas is a time for putting y our feet up, so leave mealtimes to Wiltshire Farm Foods. They offer overhey o ff 260 delicious, individuall y portioned dishes, including Christmas options.
mealtimes to Wiltshir Christmas options.
Come rain or shine their local drivers will deliver direct to your freezer. Then, when you’re ready, just, just pop your meal in the microwave or oven - and enjoy.
ect to your fr To
FREE Christmas TeaFREE Christmas Tea Towel with every pack. While st ocks last
While stocks last
6 Meals with vegetables: Honey Roast Turkey Breast Roast Pork with Cranberry Stuffing Beef with Roast Potatoes & Yorkshire Pudding Pork & Leek Sausages in Tomato, Bean & Bacon Casserole Chicken, Bacon & Thyme Hotpot Chicken Kiev
Mincemeat & Apple Crumble Brandy in Clotted Cream Ice Cream
s: Luxury Christmas Pudding Sherry Trifle
Available to order from 14/10/13 to 31/12/13 4 East
4 Dessert to order your Christmas S election Pack call us on
F or a FREE brochure or to or der your Christmas
brochure or
01227 774 999 wiltshir
wiltshirefarmfoods.com 999 You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk hen, when you’re r
pop your meal in the microwave or oven - and enjoy Ask for your
or your FREE brochure today, and order over the phone or online. Yule be glad you chose Wiltshire Farm Foods this Christmas!
e toda , and or ule be glad you chose oods this Christmas! Tasty Meals from £2.95 FREE Delivery Delivery
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56