by Angela Cole

Fremlin Walk shopping centre in Maidstone may have only been opened five years, but already it’s in for a facelift.

The economic downturn may be biting for many, but the shopping centre, which is now fully occupied for the first time in its history, has ambitious plans for its future.

Maidstone council members were treated to the first glimpses of what could be in store at a special meeting.

The management plans to create roofs at both the main entrance and House of Fraser end and to make changes to the entrance in Week Street.

There are also plans for changes the entrance from Earl Street and café proposals at the area which looks out on Maidstone Museum in St Faith’s Street.

They also hope to change its façade and its graphics.

A spokesman for Fremlin Walk said of the presentation to the council: "The team explained that there were a number of opportunities to give the shopping centre a greater sense of presence and identity, increasing footfall, dwell time and to improve areas within the shopping centre, as well as develop others that are deemed not to be working as economically successfully as originally expected."

Two planning applications will be made to the council; one for cafes and the second for improvements and new roofing. One could even be submitted by the end of the year.

Fremlin Walk was launched in 2006 and bought by Legal and General Property for £92 million at the beginning of this year.