Two former restaurants in the city’s largest leisure complex have been put on the market.
Lockmeadow in Barker Road, Maidstone, which has a cinema, trampoline park and bowling alley, has two large spaces that it is desperately trying to fill.
These are the old Frankie & Benny’s restaurant, which has now been demolished, and the Feathers bar and grill, opposite the Italian chain.
One of the units extends to approximately 3,960 sq ft plus storage and the other to approximately 6,193 sq ft together with an outdoor area.
The site is owned by Maidstone Council, which hopes to increase the overall ‘attraction and visitor numbers’ to the leisure complex.
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A number of new uses have been proposed for the spaces, including a supermarket, leisure, nursery and food and drink.
Details of the potential letting have been posted in an online brochure which states: “In addition to the two ground floor units currently available to let, the council is looking for other operators who could potentially increase the overall offering and appeal of Lockmeadow.
“For example, there is a large outdoor area known as Coronation Square which can be suitable for temporary or more permanent uses such as padel tennis, soft play and pop-up cinemas and food and drink.”
Frankie & Benny’s left customers disappointed after the eatery closed in December 2022.
It came after a tumultuous time for the company, which closed many locations across the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Feathers, the largest branch on the ground floor of the branch, closed its doors to customers last May.
Lockmeadow also has the Lockmeadow Health Club, the Love Food Football and the new VR World which opened last summer.
Last May the council announced that Maidstone Leisure Trust (MLT), in partnership with Serco Leisure, would take over the management of the David Lloyd gym which was next to the entertainment complex.
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The space, which has a large gym and swimming pool, is currently managed by David Lloyd, who announced they were leaving in February.
MLT also helps run Mote Park and Maidstone Leisure Center and took over management of the club, which continues to operate as a private health and fitness facility.
Cllr Claudine Russell said at the time: “Following extensive marketing and interest from other providers, Serco Leisure’s offer, both in terms of financial reward and service provided, made them the front runners to continue this private members club.
“We know how much our residents have valued this city center facility for many years and are pleased that it will remain open as a place to relax, exercise and socialize for the residents of Maidstone.”
Maidstone Council has been approached for comment on the rent.
In February, the site made the news after rats were spotted during a screening of The Color Purple.
Kings Hill mum Claire Bermingham was visiting her friends when she spotted the rodents running around Screen 5.
In a statement at the time, an Odeon spokesperson said: “We are aware of the issue at ODEON Maidstone, which has affected the cinema, in addition to other units at the Lockmeadow Leisure Complex.
“The cinema has a hygiene rating of 5* and carries out extensive and regular cleaning.
“We are working with the Complex’s location manager and local services to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”