Lower High Street Space

We plan to change how the space around the Cannon works. This area has suffered years of neglect, and decline, resulting in street clutter, narrow pavements and highways engineering that all detract from the cheerful character of this part of the High Street. We want to make better use of the space and make the Cannon a central feature. We plan to tidy away much of the street clutter and set the Cannon on a new plinth. The changes will makes the shops more visible and improve their setting. The wider pavements will create a more pleasant shopping environment and encourage people to linger longer. The high quality environment will enhance Maidstone’s reputation as a place to shop and will attract more shoppers and visitors to the town. The extra space will encourage passers by to dwell. There will be new benches set beneath the dappled shade of the new cherry trees, and further seating will be integrated into the new Cannon plinth. Existing cafés and bars will be able to extend into the space with additional outdoor seating. This area is a vibrant night time destination and the lighting scheme will reflect this. The space will be well lit to ensure that it is safe and inviting.

Lighting columns set amongst the trees will cast animated shadows that will vary with the seasons. There will be coloured lighting beneath the new seats and the plinth feature to add drama to the space.