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News


Town slips down ‘shopping league’


A TOWN centre programme man- ager is to be appointed to recapture Maidstone’s reputation as a shop- ping destination. The town is facing a number of challenges, not least its decline in re- tail popularity. Maidstone Council’s cabinet heard that there were more empty shop units compared with competing centres and a lack of large units and sites to attract anchor re- tailers. The town slipped in its retail posi-


tion from 33rd out of 2,500 towns in the country in 2007 to 52nd in 2013, chiefly due to a lack of investment, the cabinet heard – although the peak position of 33 followed the opening of FremlinWalk. Despite a number of restaurants


opening in the town, there was still an under-representation in the mid to high-end restaurant market and a lack of integration between the town centre and retail outlets on the other side of the River Medway. Traffic congestion continued to be


a problem and there were limited opportunities for office space in the town centre, fuelled by the attraction of out-of-town business parks. The council has set aside £100,000


for the appointment of a programme manager who will work with busi- nesses, landowners and stakehold- ers for two years to deliver a five-point action plan: town centre living; employment and retail; cul- ture and leisure; transport; and pub- lic realm and connectivity.


Scout group needs leaders


AYLESFORD Scouts are on the lookout for some adults to help run their meetings. The Scouts meet on Monday evenings at The Friars from 7pm to 9pm. For more details, contact group scout leader Krysia Keeley on 01622 882418.


downsmail.co.uk Town marks St George’s day


THEREwasmuch slaying of dragons and rattling of sabres and clogs when folk singers and dancers cameto Maidstone to celebrate all things English for St George’s Day. In a four-hour extrava-


ganza ofmusic, dance and drama, Jubilee Square be- came the place to be, with performances from Kits Coty Morris, Kettle Bridge Clogs and Loose Women Morris and music from band Green Diesel and Black Lion Courtiers. Young thespians from


the Hazlitt Youth Theatre put their own particular twist on the battle be- tween St George and the dragon while there were face painting and pho- tographic opportunities for the children. The event was put together by Maidstone Town Team, in conjunction with the Town Centre Management and Maidstone Council.


Work starts on Mall centre


WORK is about to start on a £5m revamp of the Mall shopping centre in Maidstone. Owner Capital&Regional is appointing a contractor for the first phase


of the refurbishment, which will involve a redesign of the two entrances in King Street and Gabriels Hill, with lighting and flooring being in- stalled. Workwas due to start early in the year, but Capital&Regional has now confirmed it is finally appointing a contractor and work is due to start. SpokesmanAndrew Scorgie said: “The company continues to work up options to extend the centre in response to the undoubted demand for quality retail and leisure space in Maidstone.”


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