Agenda item

Interview with Councillor Geer, Cabinet Member for Economic and Commercial Development.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Greer, Cabinet Member for Economic and Commercial Development, to the meeting.

The Cabinet Member outlined to the Committee his vision for the visitor economy in Maidstone.  He stated that tourism plays a great part for Great Britain and for Maidstone and his main focus is to improve Maidstone’s image as a Market Town and as a Borough by improving the attractiveness of the offer in the town centre and the rural areas and developing more effective partnerships.

The Committee were informed of some the work done so far, which included:-

·  The heritage area – including All Saints Church, the Carriage Museum and the surrounding area for which an Angel Award was won from English Heritage

·  The High Street regeneration project which has enhanced the great buildings and provided a Town Square

·  Improved signage

·  Coach parking and drop off points in St Faith’s Street, which is a more central town location

The Cabinet Member informed the Committee of his aims for the future, which included:-

·  Destination Boards – replacement of these

·  More signage and maps to go in Week Street, High Street as well as QR codes linking to the Visit Maidstone website. 

·  New tourist information brochures for around town, including at all Park & Ride sites and Maidstone East Station.

·  There are three particular areas that need some attention, Gabriels Hill, Earl Street and the upper end of Week Street (from Fremlin Walk to Maidstone East).  Artist impressions will be available in January to show how these areas could be improved and consultation will take place.  One of these projects will be taken forward by using money from an underspend on the lower end of the High Street and S106 monies.

·  To help new ventures that are starting up in the rural areas get into guide books to help maximise their profitability.

·  Bring more colour to Maidstone and make it the most attractive place he possibly can

The Cabinet Member also mentioned a number of new restaurants were now opening in Maidstone, a new team room and new bars.  The Hazlitt Arts Centre is now being run by Parkwood Leisure and new seating and refurbishment is planned in Spring 2014.  The Visitor Information Centre at the Museum is a Finalist for a Beautiful South Award for “Tourism Information Service of the Year”.  The Awards will be announced in November.  He informed the Committee that the new Head of Commercial and Economic Development, Dawn Hudd, starts early December and they are looking to recruit a new Culture & Leisure Manager.

In response to questions by Members, the Cabinet Member explained that:-

·  Figures relating to increase in business or footfall following the regeneration of the High Street are required and the new Head of Commercial and Economic Development will be requested to compile these

·  There are over 600 small businesses in Maidstone and he will engage with them to see how the Council can help them

·  Kent Conference Bureau is going from strength to strength

·  Carriage Museum – we do need a larger space for this and the suggestion of Kent Life is worth exploring.  The idea of handing out leaflets about the carriage museum to visitors to the Maidstone Museum is very welcome

·  With regard to Eric Pickles advocating free parking, yes it would encourage tourism but it must be balanced against the costs

·  Noted that the map at Willington Street Park & Ride was still out of date regarding the location of the Council offices

·  All areas where black tarmac has been put down is only temporary and these areas will be replaced properly as soon as possible

·  Mill Street – as soon as the cross-over point is finished, Kent County Council (“KCC”) will refurbish the footpaths.  As part of the lower High Street regeneration, we will replace the first 20 metres of the road in Mill Street and KCC are being requested to do the remainder

·  There are plans coming forward with regard to Mote Cricket Club and a further extension of the offer at Mote Park

·  The report regarding the Business Hub is due at the end of October

·  The King Street Car Park is nearly demolished and a surface car park should be open before Christmas.  The plot will be marketed at a later date

The Cabinet Member further mentioned that he was looking to put in place an events calendar covering a 2 year period as he recognises there is an abundance of events taking place in Maidstone but a co-ordinated approach to this is required.  This will be taken forward with the new Head of Commercial and Economic Development.

The Committee thanked the Cabinet Member for his update.