News
downsmail.co.uk Cash cuts hit business hub plan
MAIDSTONE Council’s attempt to set up an enterprise hub to help start-up businesses has been ham- pered by a cut in KCC funding The council wants to provide flexible office accommodation, hot desking and advice from private and public sector experts for new companies. It was working towards opening
the enterprise hub on the site of the former post office in King Street but this has been shelved due to a lack of funding from KCC and unsatis- factory rental terms. In 2013, KCC offered a £500,000
loan and £200,000 grant subject to match-funding, which was agreed by Maidstone Council. But earlier this year KCC clawed back the grant, which coincided with the borough council failing to reach an
additional problems. We want to give our businesses the best start. “Start-up businesses cannot af-
The former post office in King Street
agreement with post office landlord Telereal Trillium, leaving the scheme back at square one. Karen Franek, principal economic
development officer for Maidstone Council, told the economic and commercial development overview and scrutiny committee: “There are other organisations doing similar things but with a bias towards peo- ple like ex-offenders or those with
Forgoen names restored
LEYBOURNE’s updated war me- morial, revealing extra names of those who died during the First WorldWarwas due to be unveiled on Remembrance Sunday. The ceremony on November 9
was the culmination of a project by Leybourne Parish Council to re- store the memorial and add people
whowere not listed. A display was arranged at the village hall in the run-up to the un- veiling to focus on the stories be- hind the names. Both the exhibition and the renovation were financed by the Heritage Lottery funded World War One: Then and Now Programme.
ford to get into long leases that are not flexible. Offices in Maidstone are not flexible enough for the very early stages of a business. The pri- vate sector does not want to touch it because there is not an instant re- turn. We are talking about remov- ing the barriers that prevent people from doing business. We are not talking about subsidising but pro- viding facilities that provide earn- ing potential.” Ms Franek said she would ex-
plore suggestions made by the com- mittee for alternative sites, including the Maidstone Gateway and suitable leasehold premises. She added: “There has been a 30% increase over the past 10 years
in the number of businesses estab- lished from home. This is a national trend and Maidstone is at a higher level. “Every yearwe are seeing 700-800 people considering self-employ- ment or starting a business. Many of these are home-based. “They lack peer-to-peer support
with access to professionals and services they can’t fund themselves. “If you get a hub you cut costs
and bring them all together. There are a phenomenal number of busi- nesses out there and I would be lying if I said some of them aren’t under the radar, so we want to reach out to them. “It would be a seed bed to help businesses get off to a good start with all resources on site or easily accessible.”
LARKFIELD Leisure Centre was rated excellent by a mystery shop- per who visited as part of Sport England’s Quest Plus national quality scheme. Centre manager Kirstin Brim-
sted said: “This is a a real team achievement.”
Leisure centre makes grade The centre has been graded ex-
cellent since 2010. Martin Guyton, chief executive of Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, said: “The real winners in this are the cus- tomers. They now have a highly acclaimed leisure facility in the heart of their community.”
27 November 2014 The New Jersey Boys and Showaddywaddy
4 December 2014 Tina Turner and Rihanna
11 December 2014 Elvis
Saturday 29th November 2014 Visit Santa in his Grotto at the
Christmas in Snodland
Pavilion Café, Cricket Meadow, Rocfort Road from 12 noon – 4.00pm
Outdoor Christmas Market,
Hot Food & Refreshments with the Scout Group at Rocfort Road car park from 10.00am
2014-2015
*Minimum order £15. 15% off on collection of takeaway
Lunch: Mon-Sat: £7.95 adult, £4.95 kids Sun: £9.95 adult, £5.95 kids
Evening: Mon-Thurs: £12.95 adult Fri & Sat: £14.95 adult, £7.95 Kids 7 days
6 Malling November 2014
New Year’s Celebration
Party Time Lady Gaga Tribute and Motown Soul, rock and roll, pop and dance set
£30 7pm till late
Carol Singing with Snodland Choral Society In the High Street from 4.15pm
Lights turned on at 5.00pm by The Mayor of T&MBC and Father Christmas
Lights for Life forms available from Town Council Offices
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