News MBC supports businesses with new Shopfront Guidance
Maidstone Town Centre has been the shopping centre of Kent from at least the 1200s. It has developed, grown, and changed over the years and contains many attractive shop fronts.
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has developed new guidance to help recognise the value of shopfronts across the borough to support businesses and enhance their shops.
The MBC Shopfront Guidance offers simple advice on how to renew or design a new shop front to help enhance the shopping experience and support local businesses. It also provides practical guidance on what permissions are required and where to get help and advice that may be needed.
MBC Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development – Cllr Paul Cooper said:
“Shop fronts originally had a very specific purpose - to entice potential buyers into the shop and this reason still exists today. They also provide vital elements to the character and appearance of a street scene. This MBC guidance aims to avoid bland, soulless shops and reinstate the individualism of these buildings across the borough.“The MBC guidance includes some good information and support which could improve the look of the shops in Maidstone and enable businesses, their designers, shopfitters, and other professionals to design shop fronts that will enhance the street scene and their location.”
The MBC Shopfront Guidance can be downloaded and read in full on the website:
https://localplan.maidstone.gov.uk/home/further-guidance