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Consultation has concluded
We're reimagining Earl Street as a greener, more welcoming space where businesses can thrive.
Once home to Maidstone's beer, paper and thread-making industries, Earl Street is now a key dining and entertainment quarter, with a range of businesses including restaurants and cafes and the Hazlitt Theatre.
To increase footfall and strengthen Earl Street’s identity as a vibrant destination, we’re looking to further reduce vehicle traffic in the area.
Currently, vehicles are restricted between Week Street and Rose Yard. We're proposing to expand this, freeing up more of the street for people to enjoy.
If there’s less traffic on Earl Street, we can allocate more space for outdoor dining, new planting to support local biodiversity, and create a better experience for everyone who visits, works or trades here.
We are engaging with businesses and key stakeholders to make sure we continue to provide access to loading and delivery facilities, drop-off space and disabled parking.
We want to work with the community to shape a space that's functional, welcoming and somewhere everyone can be proud of.
How to get involved
The early engagement survey is now closed, but there will be further opportunities to have your say on the future of Earl Street in autumn 2026, when we will share designs shaped by feedback from the community.
A summary of the findings from early engagement can be found in the news feed below.
We're reimagining Earl Street as a greener, more welcoming space where businesses can thrive.
Once home to Maidstone's beer, paper and thread-making industries, Earl Street is now a key dining and entertainment quarter, with a range of businesses including restaurants and cafes and the Hazlitt Theatre.
To increase footfall and strengthen Earl Street’s identity as a vibrant destination, we’re looking to further reduce vehicle traffic in the area.
Currently, vehicles are restricted between Week Street and Rose Yard. We're proposing to expand this, freeing up more of the street for people to enjoy.
If there’s less traffic on Earl Street, we can allocate more space for outdoor dining, new planting to support local biodiversity, and create a better experience for everyone who visits, works or trades here.
We are engaging with businesses and key stakeholders to make sure we continue to provide access to loading and delivery facilities, drop-off space and disabled parking.
We want to work with the community to shape a space that's functional, welcoming and somewhere everyone can be proud of.
How to get involved
The early engagement survey is now closed, but there will be further opportunities to have your say on the future of Earl Street in autumn 2026, when we will share designs shaped by feedback from the community.
A summary of the findings from early engagement can be found in the news feed below.
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We are pleased to provide an update on our plans to reimagine Earl Street as a greener, more welcoming space where businesses can thrive. We recently engaged with the local community to understand your priorities and ideas for public realm improvements.
Throughout the early engagement period from 22 June to 19 July 2026, we received 833 responses to the online survey and captured feedback from key stakeholders at activities including a business walkabout, inclusive design assessment, and community world café workshop. Thank you to those who shared their feedback.
Key priorities emerging from the feedback included:
Enhancing public spaces by creating more opportunities for seating, outdoor dining, and improving the look and feel of the street
Introducing more greenery to create shade, biodiversity, and visual appeal
Reducing traffic dominance to improve perceptions of road safety
Improving the accessibility of the street with quality surfaces and crossing points
Supporting the thriving gig economy by providing formalised parking arrangements for delivery riders
Building local heritage into designs to celebrate local history and identity.
What happens next?
Your insights and suggestions are now helping us develop early designs for improvements on Earl Street. We will share these ideas and engage with the community later this year to hear your thoughts and help shape the final designs.
If you have any further questions or feedback in the meantime, please get in touch in one of the following ways:
Write: Maidstone Borough Council Depot, Park Wood Industrial Estate, Bircholt Road, Park Wood, Maidstone ME15 9XY
We are pleased to provide an update on our plans to reimagine Earl Street as a greener, more welcoming space where businesses can thrive. We recently engaged with the local community to understand your priorities and ideas for public realm improvements.
Throughout the early engagement period from 22 June to 19 July 2026, we received 833 responses to the online survey and captured feedback from key stakeholders at activities including a business walkabout, inclusive design assessment, and community world café workshop. Thank you to those who shared their feedback.
Key priorities emerging from the feedback included:
Enhancing public spaces by creating more opportunities for seating, outdoor dining, and improving the look and feel of the street
Introducing more greenery to create shade, biodiversity, and visual appeal
Reducing traffic dominance to improve perceptions of road safety
Improving the accessibility of the street with quality surfaces and crossing points
Supporting the thriving gig economy by providing formalised parking arrangements for delivery riders
Building local heritage into designs to celebrate local history and identity.
What happens next?
Your insights and suggestions are now helping us develop early designs for improvements on Earl Street. We will share these ideas and engage with the community later this year to hear your thoughts and help shape the final designs.
If you have any further questions or feedback in the meantime, please get in touch in one of the following ways:
Write: Maidstone Borough Council Depot, Park Wood Industrial Estate, Bircholt Road, Park Wood, Maidstone ME15 9XY
Consultation has concluded
Early engagement
Earl Street Public Realm Improvements has finished this stage
Capturing your feedback on how you would like to see Earl Street improved to inform designs.
Public consultation
Earl Street Public Realm Improvements is currently at this stage
We will share designs shaped by early engagement findings and ask for your feedback to refine them.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Earl Street Public Realm Improvements
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
For queries or questions relating to this consultation please get in touch in one of the following ways:
