From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By William Janes, 4 September 2018.

Maidstone: Week Street pub The Vic to be demolished for the start of Maidstone East Railway Station improvement works.

A derelict Victorian pub is set to be demolished for the start of a series of railway station improvements costing £2.5 million.

The "Vic," formerly the "Victoria Hotel," closed in 2011 and has since stood abandoned and rotting.

On Monday, September 17, Network Rail will begin tearing it down to make way to extend Maidstone East Railway Station.

Designs include a spacious landscaped entrance, a glass front, a waiting room, café, ticket office, and staff room.

The multimillion pound project is funded by the rail industry through the National Stations Improvement Programme and by Kent County Council's (KCC) Local Growth Fund.

The redevelopment is a key part of KCC and Maidstone Borough Council’s plans to regenerate the area around the station and create a gateway to the town.

The "Victoria" Pub (The "Vic") is set to be demolished.

John Halsall, Network Rail's south east route managing director, said: "This regeneration will transform the station and surrounding area and comfortably accommodate growing passenger numbers in the years ahead. It’s also an excellent example of the railway working in partnership with local authorities and third parties for the benefit of passengers, communities and businesses in Kent."

Matthew Fraser, station manager at Southeastern, said: "We’re always trying to provide better journeys for our passengers and improve the experience of using our trains. When it’s completed, this new entrance to Maidstone East will be an excellent gateway to Kent’s county town."

Eric Hotson, KCC’s cabinet member for corporate and democratic services, added: "We are delighted to hear about Network Rail’s decision to progress with the demolition of the derelict public house and the creation of much enhanced facilities for passengers, including a proper railway concourse.

"We appreciate this will be a difficult and delicate operation for Network Rail because the work will be taking place very close to the tunnel underneath.

"The new station will be an important addition to the work being carried out by KCC and Maidstone Borough Council to regenerate the wider area. This includes the former Royal Mail site - currently being used as a car park – and various office buildings, which will form part of a strategic gateway into the town totalling about 10.5 acres."

An artist's impression of how Week Street will look like after improvements.

Cllr Martin Cox, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council, said: "The regeneration of such an important amenity will continue to strengthen the collective drive for improvements to Maidstone as the county town of Kent.

"This significant investment will ultimately benefit a wealth of people from residents and visitors, to commuters and businesses, as well as contributing to the local economy. I am delighted that we are moving steadily closer to making this vision a reality."

Christian Brodie, Chairman of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "Our railway stations play an important role in the perception of our towns as they are often the first and last places people experience when visiting.

"Upgrading the station sends out a strong message to residents, businesses and investors that there is a confidence and commitment about the future of Maidstone and its connectivity to London."

Maidstone East is the main station in the town and has regular services to London. Additional direct services to London will start running from December 2019 when trains will run from Maidstone East to Cambridge.

Railway customers are being warned to expect some disruption as the works begin.

From Monday, September 17 Station Road (leading to platforms two and three) will be closed, pedestrian routes will change, and taxi and mini cab ranks will be relocated to the Southeastern car park until Summer 2019.

The station car park will also be closed on specific dates to be confirmed.

Work on the station building is expected to begin later in the year, subject to the approval of final detailed designs by Maidstone Borough Council.