News


Office space for new start-ups


A NEW enterprise hub to help start-up businesses is to be opened in Maidstone Gateway. Work is underway after Maid-


stone Council agreed to rent the first floor terrace of the building, in King Street, from landlord Cap- ital & Regional. The facility, which will help businesses of up to nine employ- ees, will be open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays as well as Saturday mornings. It will include:


 eight offices available for start- up businesses on flexible terms;  breakout seats for networking;  up to 20 hot desks;  20-seat seminar space and a small meeting room. The facility, which will open in


July or August, follows a failed at- tempt to convert the former post of- fice in King Street into a hub after a funding U-turn by KCC. Research showed a 30% increase


in people from the borough work- ing from home in the past 10 years. Maidstone has one of the highest concentrations of home-based busi-


nesses in the country – 9,000 ac- cording to the 2011 census – and national surveys suggest these businesses often work in isolation and lack access to equipment, facil- ities and networking. Maidstone Council’s cabinet member for economic develop- ment, Cllr Malcolm Greer, said: “New businesses have told us that well-equipped spaces to work, with flexible and affordable terms, are key to getting a business off the ground.” The facility could benefit up to


1,000 entrepreneurs a year through affordable workspaces, events, seminars, mentoring and network- ing opportunities. Clients will have a variety of membership options: booking a desk for a single day; coming in 30- 100 hours a month; taking an office on easy-in, easy-out terms. Mem- berships will include a minimum 100MB broadband and free wifi. To sub-let office space, email council officer Karen Franek at karenfranek@maidstone.gov.uk or call 01622 602392.


42nd Street Hazlitt Theatre


IN my youth (60 years ago) every- one knew the words and music to the song Lullaby of Broadway. It was a nostalgic moment when


the cast of the 115-year-old Maid- stone Amateur Operatic Society belted out the number to delight a full house at the Hazlitt Theatre during “42nd Street”. It took me time to get in to this performance, but by the end of it I was won over by energy and en- thusiasm. The talented dancing girls had no hope of matching the slick choreography of American professionals, but full marks for trying so hard.


MAIDSTONEStreetPastors have a new chairman. Rev Canon Arthur Houston (below), priest at Christ Church Parkwood and associate vicar of St Luke’s, Maidstone, has been on the management team for some time. He takes on the role of


chair, as current chairDave Creasey


downsmail.co.uk Agreat sing-along show


The show has several sing-along numbers that have lasted the pace, including “You’re getting to be a habit with me”, “We’re in the money” (I really enjoyed this ver- sion) and “42nd Street”. The society benefits from some


very experienced members and this time Chris Chedzey returned very successfully as a “King of Broad- way” to stage the show “Pretty Lady” and Mike Codling made a comeback after four years as Bert Barry. But they still needed the ladies –


and the delights of Steph Beeken, Kathryn Norman, Julie Argent and Christina Whitehead.


Dennis Fowle New chairman for street pastors


becomes vice-chair. Arthur, from Northern Ireland,


has worked as an interim minister on the Isle of Sheppey, at St Paul’s Church in Maidstone andwas vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Margate. He trained at an agricultural col-


lege and has been an agricultural missionary with Tearfund. He said: “Street Pastors have an incredible dedication to their voca- tion and are hugely respected by all the secular authorities; may that work of practical love flourish.”


The ultimate setting for your perfect day.


Nestled within nine acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, with a tranquil lake and tumbling waterfall, it is an exclusive-use venue with endless photographic opportunities.


Open Day Wedding


Sunday 19th April 2015 10am to 4pm


A fantastic opportunity to view the Orangery, Garden Room and magnificent grounds and to meet some of our recommended suppliers.


The Orangery Maidstone Ltd Turkey Court, Turkey Mill, Ashford Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5PP


For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact us on: 01622 919 919 or email: events@theorangerymaidstone.com


www.theorangerymaidstone.com 6 Maidstone East April 2015


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