A developer has revealed proposals to transform an historic building into flats.

The Powerhub in St Peter's Street, Maidstone, could be turned into apartments and commercial space.

The Grade II-listed building was originally a Tilling-Stevens commercial vehicle factory.

It is also an example of an American Daylight factory – a rare style of architecture.

The building’s potential was spotted by Terance Butler Holdings, a developer based in Aylesford, which bought the building for £3.5 million.

The firm has recently released flyers outlining the proposals for the Powerhub, which includes redevelopment and partial demolition of the building. The ground floor would be used for commercial use and the other three floors converted for residential accommodation, should the idea get permission.

Plans will go on show at a consultation event at the Powerhub on Tuesday, October 18.

Raglan House, to the left of the Powerhub, as well as the existing sheds units to the right, could also be demolished and rebuilt as apartments.

Currently the site is home to a number of independent businesses – including The Climbing Experience, which opened in summer 2019, and children's play centre Cheeky Dinos.

Robert Woods, founder and chief executive of The Climbing Experience, said: "If the plans go ahead, there would be no space for us, as they are proposing to knock down the building we are in.

"We found out about the consultation through one of our tenants who came to the front desk and showed us the flyer.

"There has been a lack of openness and information, which in turn has given businesses a lack of clarity.

"The unit is an obvious development site and I was aware it would be in the long-term town centre strategy. However I believed this would be in 10 or 15 years time.

"If there was a possibility to retain the sheds and have a mixed-use site with flats, shops and a community that would be ideal, but this seems unlikely.

"We have built a significant community here, and have around 4,000 visits a month. Climbing is a growing sport, and if we lose our site here in Maidstone, it will be a big impact."

Emma Fuggle runs Pussycat Poles in the Powerhub building, and says she only found out about the consultation indirectly.

"I've put everything into this business, it's been a real struggle," she explained. "I've always had to rent, but Covid gave me the kick to open my own place.

"I found out the plans for the building through someone else who had been given a flyer, I wasn't even contacted."

The pole dancing studio first opened in September 2020, and then reopened in May 2021 after lockdown.

Emma said: "If they turn my studio into a flat I'm out of a business and a job.

"There are quite a few specific requirements I need to run classes – pole, aerial hoop, silks etc – high ceilings are a necessity.

"Very little places to buy or rent in Maidstone can offer this."

She added: "Next year will be my 20th year of teaching. I have built up good relationships with my students, most of them are friends now.

"It would be a shame to lose this."

Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green) says they won't know the full plans of the proposal until the consultation event next week.

He said: "Some residents are saying that they don't want any more flats, and others are saying something should be done to the building as it's rotting."

"The key concerns are regarding the companies currently on site – will they be allowed to continue operating?

"I know that two of the bigger businesses would struggle to move into the ground floor of the building due to the need for height.

"Also traffic needs to be considered, as the road leading from St Peter's Street to Buckland Hill is a death trap."

The public consultation event will take place on the ground floor of Powerhub from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, October 18.