The Maidstone Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a specialist street cleaning service in Maidstone town centre.
The service, which is the second initiative to be funded by Maidstone BID, will provide additional cleaning to the BID area to ensure an improved environment for local businesses and visitors to the town.
The programme will go beyond the services already provided by Maidstone Borough Council targeting issues of particular concern to local businesses. Services will include routine power washing and deep cleaning of pavements, as well as the removal of gum, vegetation and graffiti.
In addition, the contract includes a rapid response service for emergencies, such as spillages, graffiti removal and rubbish collection. The Street Ambassadors will support local businesses by reporting any issues to the cleansing teams.
Ilsa Butler, BID Manager for One Maidstone, said: “We’re pleased to announce the launch of this enhanced street cleaning service, dedicated to the BID area. Local businesses and visitors will benefit from the service which will ensure the town centre is as clean and attractive as possible.
“The enhanced cleaning project has started with gum removal along King Street and the High Street and will undertake routine cleansing activities on an ongoing basis.”
Four companies tendered for the street cleansing contract, which was won by Maidstone Borough Council’s Cleansing Department in February 2019. Through the BID, One Maidstone will invest £120,000 over the three-year contract, with the potential for an additional year.
John Foster, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development at Maidstone Borough Council, said: “This latest programme funded by Maidstone BID complements the Council’s strategy to support local businesses. As Kent’s County Town it is important that Maidstone looks the part and the Council has carried out a comprehensive programme of public realm improvements in the town centre, including in Week Street and Gabriel’s Hill.
“By making the town centre a clean and attractive place, the cleansing initiative will help to encourage more people to visit and enjoy Maidstone’s fantastic business, retail and leisure offer.”
The BID Business Plan has three priority areas – MANAGE, PROMOTE and DISCOVER – which are aimed at improving the environment and trading conditions for businesses in Maidstone. The MANAGE theme is the focus of the BID during the first two years, and includes Street Ambassadors, which are already in place, and street scene improvements, including the enhanced cleansing services.
A BID is a business-led and business-funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area. The Maidstone BID will fund initiatives to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as events and promotions to promote trade and footfall in the town. All the money is ring-fenced so that it can only be spent by the BID company in the specific BID area.
The BID, which came into effect on 1 October 2018, was proposed by One Maidstone, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that is dedicated to improving the trading environment in Maidstone.
To request the new cleansing services, businesses located within Maidstone’s Business Improvement District should contact One Maidstone by emailing nigel.reed@onemaidstone.com or calling 01622 678777.