Maidstone becomes a ghost town

ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:33, 05 November 2020 | Updated: 14:46, 05 November 2020

Maidstone town centre was almost deserted today, the first day of the new Covid lockdown.

Many businesses are still permitted to stay open - grocery and food shops, cafes able offer a take-away service, hardware stores, banks and opticians for example.

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The BBS muffin bar in The Mall was open but had few customers

Rymans was one of the few shops in Earl Street still open

The Eden cafe in the Royal Star Arcade was closed

The Kent International Food Centre at the foot of Gabriel's Hill is open

The seating has vanished from the Royal Star Arcade

Week Street at lunchtime is usually crowded

But even though most of those were open - not all - they had hardly any customers.

Some like the Eden Cafe in the Star Arcade or Becks Cafe in Mill Street, which perhaps might have offered a takeaway service, stayed resolutely shut, which may well have proved a sound business decision.

The BBS muffin shop in The Mall shopping centre was one of several eateries that did stay open, but it had few customers.

The Mall, the Royal Star Arcade and Fremlin Walk were open to customers - even if most of their tenants were not.

In the Royal Star Arcade the chairs and tables in the central roundel have been removed, although the Royal Star Cafe itself was still open.

In The Mall, its two anchor stores - Wilko and TJ Hughes both remained open - but had few customers. There was no queueing to get in, as witnessed in the last lockdown.

The empty streets presented a stark contrast to the town only yesterday, when Week Street, Earl Street and The High Street were thronging with shoppers looking to make those last-minute purchases before lock-down.

However, consolation for those working from home: Rymans is open so you can still buy your printer ink and stationery.

And consolation for everyone - Hotel Chocolat is open

However, some businesses have given up on the County Town altogether.