'Forgotten' traders sign petition

Traders say business has suffered with the opening of Fremlin Walk

Traders angry at the loss of business after a shopping centre opened in Maidstone have launched a petition calling on the council for help.

Shop owners in Bank Street said they wanted an action plan from the council, because they had been "forgotten".

But Councillor Chris Garland said ongoing advertising was bringing shoppers to streets across the town.

In April, the new £100m centre, Fremlin Walk, was named as one of the top 10 South East shopping destinations.

We are encouraging people to shop Councillor Chris Garland

But Julie Lucas, of Banks Bar, said traders had noticed a 50% drop in business.

She said: "We just felt we needed some help from the council, because we've been forgotten, to bring all those people that have been going to Fremlin Walk back to see these individual shops and individual bars."

Mr Garland said: "We are undertaking a huge advertising programme, the biggest ever, to ensure that we get the right people and the retailers coming in to Maidstone.

"We are encouraging people to shop in Bank Street, Union Street, the High Street and Week Street.

"In addition, we've got the post office relocating to the old C&G building, which will increase the passing trade that goes down Bank Street."

Fremlin Walk opened in March 2005. The council said it hoped it would make Maidstone one of the premier town centres in the region.