Results from a survey conducted by Maidstone Borough Council revealed negative perceptions held by its residents. Primarily, concerns focus on the need for improvements to public toilets, car parking and traffic congestion. In response, Maidstone Borough Council has promoted recommendations to address these perceptions directly, some of which relate to the Strategic Plan. This negative image, it seems, is not the perception of potential investors. Indeed, Locate in Kent reported Maidstone as the ‘most popular business location in Kent’.

Businesses considering Maidstone have different priorities. Maidstone is a major commercial centre within the South East of England and the administrative centre for the County of Kent. The area benefits from excellent transport links being located directly adjacent to the M20 motorway which directly links into the M25 motorway approximately 10 miles away.

Knight Frank recently reported that investment and demand for offices is there, the supply is slowing, especially within the Town Centre, where a lack of grade A space has led to rental values plummeting. Downs Mail reinforced this view by commenting on businesses’ need for well-located sites for quality developments (Eclipse Park new J7 is popular).

Gallagher Group, the team behind Eclipse Park, went into the development speculatively two years ago – a risk, even in a successful office market, but it has subsequently paid off. “We launched Eclipse Park as a speculative business development and a lot of people said that was very brave, or really stupid,” says Pat Gallagher, chairman of Gallagher Group. “But it has worked. There are occupiers who want to be in the town, who need the space. Where else can you get a town with four major motorway junctions serving it? Even Reading has only got three.”

Development of Eclipse Park may encourage more letting activity and broaden the scope of Maidstone office market moving forward. John Foster, economic development manager at Maidstone Borough Council, says it recognises the town’s successes and is building on them. “Maidstone has intrinsically got the right qualities to be the commercial, office and shopping centre of Kent because its location is second to none.”

Maidstone has the largest business economy in Kent with over 7,000 businesses and is one of the top 5 retail centres in the South East. With residential property around 37% cheaper and office rents up to 60% cheaper than London, the area has a lot more to offer than meets the eye.

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