Home of new restaurant serves up some old secrets
Building found to be medieval marvel, dating back to 1360
A restaurateur who hoped to open a new eatery in Maidstone has admitted she may have bitten off more than she can chew, after the site was found to have a hidden past.
Kim Hoang from London bought the former Central Pharmacy building at 98 High Street earlier this year with plans to turn it into a Thai restaurant, but things soon went wrong. First a lot of asbestos was discovered in the property and then a large number of supporting beams were found to have been cut off over the years, leaving it structurally unsound.
When specialist restorers Dolman Conservation were called in to secure it they were surprised to find that hidden within its relatively modern façade were the remnants of a much earlier medieval, timber-framed house, that may date back to 1360 - among the oldest in the town centre. David Brooks, an expert with the Kent Archeological Society, said: “It’s very difficult at the moment to tell the original form because some features seem to make no sense.
“Of course, it is likely that over the centuries alterations were made and some timber moved and re-used elsewhere within the building.”
He plans to return next week after the roof has been lifted off. The home’s prominent position, robust construction and enrichments, such as traceried windows, suggest it was occupied by someone of high standing. The discovery came as a surprise to Miss Hoang, but not a completely pleasant one. She said: “It’s all a bit too much. I’m not sure what will happen now. It’s proving so expensive. All my plans are a bit up in the air.” One Maidstone, the organisation for town centre businesses, said: “Maidstone has a rich heritage, evident in its wealth of historic
‘This property has survived and witnessed 650 years of Maidstone’s history’
buildings that reflect the town’s industries, communities and status as County Town with 98 High Street a case in point. “This property has survived and witnessed 650 years of Maidstone’s history.
“We hope to provide graphics to best present the building during its re-construction under our objective to improve the street scene and as a prototype of what could be done with a shop front enhancement scheme.”