A Maidstone shopping arcade has spent hundreds of thousands on roof repairs, but is still suffering leaks.

It can be revealed that the Royal Star Arcade, in High Street, has spent £200,000 on its roof in the past four years, as part of an ongoing renovation project.

During the torrential rain that plagued the county this month, the shopping centre resorted to placing seven buckets on the floor, to catch water seeping through the roof.

One business told the Kent Messenger that the arcade, where 75 people work, often resorts to this method when there is a heavy downpour.

However, centre manager, Daniel Le Beau, said leaks had reduced since they paid out for the roof repairs.

He said the leaks are caused by part of the roof near the rear, which is made of steel and glass. When the steel expands and contracts with changes in temperature, water can get through.

Overall, landlords have spent more than £750,000 upgrading the property, which is made up of a mix of modern and historic buildings, and the works are set to continue this year, including on the roof.

Explaining the appearance of the pails in the shopping centre, Mr Le Beau, said: "New tiles floors have been installed not only in the rotunda but throughout the whole arcade. To reduce potential trip hazard on these floor tiles, in the event of water ingress buckets and hazard signs are used which is best practice. Following the storm the excellent Royal Star Arcade cleaning team worked to ensure these areas were dried out as soon as they reasonably could and then removed the signs."

The buckets, as well as yellow hazards signs, were out last Tuesday, January 14, after storm Brendan battered Kent and were removed the next day.

Mr Le Beau continued: "The landlords' policy is to reinvest income generated from the property back into the property and is committed to continued substantial expenditure in the future further improving, renovating and upgrading the beautiful historic Royal Star Arcade, which benefits from the covered walkway as compared to the nearby major shopping centre which has no similar protection from the elements."

The Royal Star Arcade site used to be home to a hotel, before it was converted in 1989.

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