News Maidstone Borough Council invites tenders for new Town Centre food market
Maidstone Borough Council is inviting tenders from market operators and individuals to run a vibrant new food market in the Town Centre.
This initiative aims to increase the availability of fresh, local produce within the heart of the town. It will also bolster the local economy, ensuring that money spent on produce directly supports local farmers, growers, and small businesses.
The Council is looking for proposals to host a regular markets, ideally on a monthly basis, though other suggestions for frequency are welcome. Potential locations for the market include Jubilee Square or Coronation Square. Bidders are also encouraged to propose other suitable town centre venues they believe would offer a new and exciting opportunity for the market.
This new market will complement Maidstone's existing weekly markets at Lockmeadow, which currently offer a mix of household items, groceries, bric-a-brac, and some fresh food.
The Council's vision is to create a dedicated town centre market focused on fresh produce, fresh food, and locally-made food products, providing residents and visitors with greater access to regionally sourced goods.
The successful contractor will be awarded an initial one-year contract, with the possibility of two one-year extensions, subject to performance reviews. This could lead to a total contract term of three years.
Maidstone Borough Council is keen to hear from companies and individuals with a proven track record in organising and managing successful markets.
Submissions should detail the organiser's experience and successes, along with examples of the types of stallholders they anticipate attracting to the Maidstone Town Centre market.
Cllr Stuart Jeffery, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council, said:
"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring a dynamic new offering to Maidstone Town Centre, supporting local producers and providing fresh, quality food options for the community. By choosing locally produced food, we're not only enhancing our town's vibrancy but also making a significant commitment to the environment by dramatically reducing the distance our food travels from farm to fork, leading to a lower carbon footprint and a more sustainable future for Maidstone."
Those wishing to make a submission to the tender process can do so by visiting www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk and using project reference number DN778955