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Mobility scheme in need of benefactor


MAIDSTONE Town Centre Management (TCM) is hoping a benefactor might step in to save the future of its Shopmobility service. TCM says the service has been running at a loss for several years and does not receive sufficient demand to justify its retention. Although a suggestion that the service could be scrapped from August 1 has come under fire, TCM says it cannot see any other way forward. The scheme has offered three mobility scooters to users at The Mall and a further two at Fremlin Walk for the past five years, cost- ing about £26,000. But the service, which costs


users a £5 membership fee and a £3 hire charge per use, loses about £3,500 a year. Demand for the service is so


low that even a reasonable in- crease in prices would not rem- edy the situation, says TCM. A spokesman said: “We are keenly aware of the value of the facility to its members and with this in mind we are seeking an- other organisation, body or indi- vidual who may be in a position to take it over. Wheelchairs will continue to


be available for customer use at both The Mall and FremlinWalk and the mobility scooters would be donated to an appropriate or- ganisation.


Bank to open


on prime site MAIDSTONE’S businesses are to get a boost with the opening of the latest bank in town. Metro Bank Ltd has acquired


Mike FitzGerald, Jackie Monk and Lisa Delaney receive Apetito’s gift


Charity donation


MAIDSTONE charity Homeless Care was delighted to receive a £500 boost from food company Apetito. Having organised a lunch at the


centre for almost 40 homeless people, key account manager Lisa Delaney and service centre manager Jackie Monk approached Apetito’s staff foundation for a donation. Mike FitzGerald, chairman of the trustees, said: “This donation will help to ensure we continue to im- prove the facilities and services avail- able to those using the centre.”


the site at the junction of High Street and Week Street, recently vacated by fast food giant Burger King, along with the neighbour- ing premises which were for- merly occupied by fashion retailer Peppermint. The bank – located chiefly in London and the home counties – has recently embarked on an ex- pansion programme and is also opening a branch in Tunbridge Wells. Previously, the closest branch to Maidstone was Orp- ington.


Meanwhile, Burger King has


taken over the former C&H Fab- rics building at the corner of Week Street and Union Street.


Empty shops ‘are unleable’


ALMOST 50 empty shop units in Maidstone are considered to be vir- tually unlettable. The Town Centre Management reported there were 49 old empty units in the town and 23newempty units, making a total of 72. However, TCM’s Larry


Williamson said the 49 shops were “virtually unlettable”, while two others had since been occupied. This meant that just 10.7% of the town’s 651 ground floor business


premises were unoccupied at the time of the count. TCM is updating its database of business addresses in the town. This is being expanded to include Albion and Clarendon places, the town ends ofAshford Road, Sitting- bourne Road, London Road, Ton- bridge Road and Andrew BroughtonWay. It will also include premises in Barker Road, Hart Street, Broadway and StPeter Street.


Italian restaurant opens in town ABRANCHofASK, an Italian restaurant chain, has opened in the cen- tre of Maidstone. Diners can enjoy breakfast, from 10am, brunch and an all-day menu, alongside an a la carte menu. The 188-cover restaurant in Earl Street also has seating for 20 outside.


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