SIGNATURE EVENTS

One of the main focuses for One Maidstone is to improve the experience and appeal of the town centre. One of the ways that we seek to do this and support our local businesses and economy, is by bringing free events into the town.

We are committed to bringing Maidstone, the County Town, to life working collaboratively with our town centre partners and local businesses to organise events for all ages and interests and help increase footfall into Maidstone town centre.

With these objectives in mind One Maidstone proposes to provide:

• An annual Christmas Lights Switch on event

• Maidfest an offer driven celebration of all town centre businesses

• Support for the annual Maidstone Fringe Festival

• Partnership with The Heart of Kent Hospice on the Wild In Art Shaun the Sheep sculpture trail in 2024

• An annual Light Up Maidstone lantern parade

• Family activities such as trails at key calendar dates e.g., Easter, Halloween

• A celebration of locally produced goods e.g., wine, produce, to recognise the agricultural heritage of the County

• An exploration of funding stream opportunities to help expand, complement, or introduce events from Arts Council England, Government and Local Authority

“Over the last four or five years, the One Maidstone BID team helped Maidstone prosper at a time when town centres and people’s shopping habits were changing. The BID team has delivered with the presence of ambassador and CCTV monitoring, making our town centre safer. They have carried out deep cleanings of the town centre, keeping it presentable to our community and shoppers. In addition to delivering all this, they have actively promoted the town centre, delivered a variety of marketing campaigns, and held some events that have increased footfall and attracted families into the town centre.

The BID has delivered a safe, clean, and secure environment for our community, businesses, and shoppers.

I have every confidence that the BID will do all it can to continue this sterling work and ensure that the town centre remains at the heart of our community.”

Lloyd Wright, General Manager, Fremlin Walk