Andy Gray
agray@thekmgroup.co.uk

A social refuge for the town’s fine upstanding gentlemen is to close after nearly 140 years.
The members-only Maidstone Club in Earl Street will open its doors for the last time on Saturday, December 31.
The owners have put the building up for sale and it’s thought whoever buys it will be unlikely to open another drinking establishment.
A spokesman for the club admitted New Year’s Eve won’t be a time of celebration as regulars say goodbye to a genuine town institution.
He said: “It will be a very sad day. Unfortunately, the club’s not a viable business proposition any more. We’re only getting about five customers a day – times have changed.”
The club has occupied 31 Earl Street since 1873. Once known as Broughton House, it was home to Andrew Broughton a Maidstone Mayor who was clerk of the court for Charles I’s trial.
It is up for sale for £950,000 through agents Christie and Co.