Two former restaurants at the city’s biggest leisure complex have been put on the market.
Lockmeadow in Barker Road, Maidstone, which includes a cinema, trampoline park and bowling alley, has two large spaces which it is desperate to fill.
They are the old Frankie & Benny’s restaurant, which has since been torn down, and Feathers Bar and Grill, which was opposite the Italian chain.
One of the units is approximately 3,960 m2 plus storage and the other is approximately 6,193 m2 including outdoor area.
The site is owned by Maidstone Council, which hopes to increase the overall “pull and impact” of the leisure complex.
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A number of new uses have been proposed for the premises, including a convenience store, leisure, nursery and food and drink.
Details of the potential lease have been published in an online brochure which states: “In addition to the two ground-floor units currently available for rent, the council is looking for additional operators to enhance the overall offer 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.”
After the restaurant closed in December 2022, Frankie & Benny’s customers were left disappointed.
It comes after a tumultuous time for the business, which saw many locations across the country close during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Feathers, which is the largest unit on the ground floor of the site, closed its doors to customers last May.
Lockmeadow also has Lockmeadow Health Club, Love Food Football Club and a 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 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 in February that he was leaving.
MLT also helps run Mote Park and Maidstone Leisure Center and has taken over management of the club, which will continue to operate as a private health and fitness facility.
Director Claudine Russell said at the time: “Following extensive marketing and interest from other providers, Serco Leisure’s offer in terms of both the financial reward and the services provided put them at the forefront of continuing to operate this private members’ club.
“We know how much our residents have valued this town center facility for many years and we are delighted that it will remain open as a place to relax, exercise and socialize for the people of Maidstone.”
Maidstone Council has been approached for comment on the lease.
In February, the site made headlines after rats were spotted during a screening of The Color Purple.
Kings Hill mum Claire Bermingham was visiting with her friends when she noticed the rodents running around Screen 5.
In a statement at the time, an Odeon spokesman said: “We are aware of the issue at ODEON Maidstone which has affected the cinema along with other units at Lockmeadow Leisure Complex.
“The cinema has a hygiene rating of 5* and carries out extensive and regular cleaning work.
“We are working with the site manager and local services to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”