From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alan Smith, 19 May 2023.

Feathers bar at Lockmeadow will close next week.

A pub is the latest business at a town centre entertainment complex to announce its closure.

The Feathers Bar and Flaming Grill restaurant at Lockmeadow in Barker Road, Maidstone, is to shut next week.

The company’s lease has come to an end and the firm has decided not to renew.

The news is a blow to Maidstone council which now owns the building after paying £19 million for it in 2019.

Lockmeadow has already seen the recent closure of Frankie and Benny’s restaurant last December.

The Feathers’ last day of trading will be on Wednesday, May 24.

Feathers is owned by Greene King brewery, which said: “It is with great sadness that we have informed our team at The Feathers in Maidstone that our lease at the pub is shortly coming to an end.

“We are working closely with them to support them as much as possible as we enter a consultation period.

“Our number one aim is to protect jobs where possible and we will explore opportunities for people to transfer to other pubs we run in the local area.”

“We would like to thank all our customers and the community who have supported the pub over the years.”

A Maidstone council spokesman said: “We are sorry to see The Feathers depart from Lockmeadow as they have been such a big part of the complex for many years.”

Cllr Paul Harper (Lab) said: “It’s sad news. Obviously the hospitality industry everywhere is being hard hit by the cost-of-living crisis, but you can’t help but wonder if this hasn’t been worsened by the traffic congestion in Barker Road.

“KCC have made such a muck-up of the new one-way system, with poor signage, and not asking the police to enforce it. It’s been a mess.”

The Feathers was previously Old Orleans restaurant and cocktail bar, specialising in South American cuisine.