Maidstone Town Centre Strategy Moves Forwards

27 February 2023

Maidstone Borough Council have appointed We Made That to develop a Town Centre Strategy for Maidstone that will establish a long-term vision for the area, underpinned by a set of core principles which will reflect ambitions for both the county town of Kent and the communities which surround it.

We Made That will lead a consultant team which also comprises Steer on infrastructure, transport and connectivity; Cushman and Wakefield on viability and delivery; Authentic Futures providing heritage advice; Studio Dekka on lighting design; and Stockdale providing cost advice.

“In common with many other town centres throughout the country, the Covid 19 pandemic, changes in retail patterns and the way we use our town centres has impacted on Maidstone. Despite these pressures, our town centre, our businesses and our communities have responded well. But we cannot be complacent, and must ensure that Maidstone is equipped to adapt and prepare itself for the next 30 years.

This strategy will look at the varying demands on retail and how we can support our shops in changing times. It will look at how the Council and key partners can support the people who live and work in the town centre and critically, will be based on creating much needed new investment and jobs, together with new social and economic infrastructure.”

Maidstone Borough Council Leader, Cllr David Burton

Following active engagement with key stakeholders on topics including art and culture, community, accessibility and health and wellbeing, we will produce an overarching masterplan and assess several key opportunity sites within the town centre. The strategy will also guide regeneration and future investment in the town centre, including the short-term investment of resources received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“Our team is excited to start work on the Maidstone Town Centre Strategy. We will build on past conversations and learn from local perspectives to develop proposals that celebrate Maidstone’s great assets and set a trajectory for a prosperous future.”

Holly Lewis, Co-founding Partner at We Made That

The strategy will seek to create places where people want to live and feel safe in the public realm and bring about the renaissance of the town centre. Maidstone has a wealth of significant landscape and heritage assets, including the River Medway, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Carriage Museum, the strategy will seek to improve connections between the town centre and these important cultural sites.

High quality placemaking will be at the core of this. The team will work closely with stakeholders on the development of proposals for placemaking, under-used areas, civic uses and community spaces, as well as a more detailed exploration of green and open spaces.