A FALL in visitor numbers to Maidstone town centre over the past year is suggested in a report.

Results from the latest footfall survey showed visitor numbers dropped by just over five per cent last year.

But Trevor Gasson, Maidstone Borough Council's deputy chief executive said the survey was not a true reflection of the town's popularity. He said trade in the town centre was as buoyant as ever.

The survey was carried out over five days last June by consultants Baptie. The number of people walking past 20 survey points was counted for 10 minutes every hour between 9am and 8pm during the week and 10am to 4pm over the weekend.

The overall figure for the total number of people passing all 20 survey points during the week fell by 10,467 from 194,509 in 2000 to 184,042 last year.

It is believed, however, that while people are making fewer trips to town centres they spend longer at their destinations when they do venture out.

Mr Gasson said in a report on the survey: "While the survey generally shows a slight decline in footfall, it is clear that trading in Maidstone town centre remains extremely buoyant."

He said that while the information was useful, it was only one part of several key tests to determine a town's vitality and viability.

The annual survey began in 1996. Visitor numbers peaked in 1997 at 195,760 and then fell every year until 2000 when Sunday trading figures were included for the first time.

If the Sunday trading figure had not been included, the footfall figure for last year would have been down 11.8 per cent (23,115) on the first year the survey was carried out.