Building a successful business was in my wish list from quite a young age. I tried a couple of start-ups and enjoyed some success before becoming a solicitor. Then I set up my own legal practice and I knew that location was vital – to be near other critical support services, amidst a strong market for my services, and above all - reliable transport for my clients and staff.
Maidstone is one such location in Kent that ticks all the boxes for businesses to really thrive and grow. That’s why Maidstone Borough Council has named and designated our County Town as the business capital of Kent, and not with words alone. They have a £720 million programme of infrastructure and investment projects that will revolutionise the Borough's offer to businesses, and it has my full support.
Socially responsible investment in enterprise benefits all of us; Businesses bring jobs providing security for families, they support communities and they pay taxes and rates to help fund our local public services.
But to underpin our lead as the Pro Business centre of Kent, we must improve our rail connectivity, which has been frankly unbefitting for some time now.
Alongside this newspaper’s robust campaign for better train services I have long sought to use the re-tendering of the South East rail franchise to facilitate the improvements we all need and deserve. This week I have again taken the matter up with the Rail Minister and I have also posed a question in Parliament - asking the Government to confirm the smooth implementation of our City service from Maidstone East by the end of this year at the latest.
With the franchise now due for renewal in the early summer, our campaign is reaching a crescendo. We must keep our foot firmly on the pedal and let us hope our efforts will pay dividends in the months to come.
