‘M&S store would be a coup for town’

The man behind plans for a new Marks & Spencer says the store would be a “major coup” for the County Town.

Proposals for the supermarket, at Eclipse Park near junction 7 of the M20 near Maidstone, went on display for the first time last Thursday, as part of a public exhibition.

If the project goes ahead, the new shop will feature a food hall, clothing, home ware and a cafe, and could create 300 jobs.

It would be the largest of its category of combination stores in a new wave of construction by the retailer.

Speaking after the event, at the Hilton Hotel in Bearsted Road, chief executive of developers Gallagher Properties, Nick Yandle, said the overwhelming majority of people who left feedback were in favour of the scheme. Of the 9% who objected, most were concerned about traffic.

A survey by DHA Transport concluded the new store would only have a minimal impact on local roads, and that would mainly be at weekends.

“It complements the Next store as well and it becomes a bit of a destination for people,” Mr Yandle said. “It represents an investment of about £25m which is quite sizeable particularly in the environment we are in today, so from Maidstone’s point of view it’s a major coup.”

Ian Chittenden, who represents Maidstone North East on Kent County Council said: “I think it’s still got to be tested by going through the planning process. I think they will need to look at how it affects the town centre because some town centres have been very heavily hurt by out-oftown applications.

“Some other compensatory factors may have to come into it.”

M&S formed the proposal after Waitrose pulled out of plans to build a similar store after being granted permission by Maidstone Borough Council in May 2017

The new store is designed to fill a similar footprint with a 300space car park, including accessible and parent and child spaces.

The firm hopes to submit a planning application later this month with a view to starting work on the site this summer. The plan is to open in autumn 2019.

For more, and to have your say, visit tinyurl.com/newMandS