Business almost as usual as Week Street re-opens

Almost two weeks on from the huge fire which destroyed part of Maidstone town centre, things are starting to get back to normal.

The arson, which gutted The Works bookshop and ripped through adjoining properties in the early hours of Monday, June 8, meant a large part of Week Street had to be closed off.

Last weekend was the first since the incident where shoppers could move freely along the pedestrianised street.

Although some traders noticed a drop in trade compared to normal weekends, others were relieved to see an end to what has been a devastating period for business.

Christopher Packham, who works at family-owned County Cobbler, said: “It’s been really bad, we’ve had pretty much no customers for a whole week, nobody could get up or down the street and everyone was just coming to look at the damage.”

The 25-year-old, from Barming, said Saturday wasn’t too bad, adding: “For three or four days after the street opened no one came down and we were 75% to 90% down on takings.”

The shoe repair shop is next to Lloyds Bank, which suffered smoke and water damage, but was not directly affected by the blaze itself.

Shopper Ian Rolfe, 42, from Chatham, said: “I’m shocked at the amount of damage.

“The only damage to the area I remember that even compares was that caused by the storms in 1987.”

Julie and Andrew Chatburn, from Teasel Close, Weavering, are regular visitors and thought it seemed quieter than usual.

Mrs Chatburn, 59, said: “They have done a great job to get everything up and running again.”

Adam Stajer, a Slovakian from Lower Stone Street, will appear at Maidstone Crown Court today (Friday) charged with arson.

The 21-year-old, who has lived in Britain for two years, did not enter a plea at a hearing last weekend and was remanded in custody.