NEWS
STORY
INTERACTIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE COMING TO MAIDSTONE’ S FREMLIN WALK
A major new immersive gaming experience is set to launch in Maidstone this summer as fast-growing leisure brand Activate Games continues its rapid UK expansion.
The new venue at Fremlin Walk will become the seventh Activate site to open in the UK and only the second outside London.
Activate combines physical challenges with interactive, technology-driven gameplay, inviting groups of two to five players to jump, climb and problem-solve their way through high-energy game rooms featuring lasers, grids, hoops and portals.
Founded in Canada in 2017, Activate now operates more than 60 locations globally across Canada, America, Dubai and the UK. The concept has quickly become a popular destination for families and groups looking for a fun, fast-paced activity.
“ We’ re excited to bring Activate to Maidstone as we continue expanding the brand across the UK,” said co-founder of We Do Play( Activate’ s partner company) Rich Beese.“ Since launching our first venues, we’ ve seen huge demand for immersive, technology-led experiences that offer something genuinely different from traditional leisure activities.”
ASDA LAUNCHES STANDALONE GEORGE STORE IN MAIDSTONE
Asda has opened its new standalone George concept store in Maidstone, marking the first of its kind in southern England as the retailer continues the nationwide transformation of its Asda Living portfolio.
Located at Saint Peter’ s Wharf Retail Park, the store is the fifth standalone George location to launch in the UK and the third to open in 2026. The expansion follows the success of previous openings, which have seen strong customer demands for the expanded ranges and improved shopping experience.
Designed as a one-stop destination for fashion and homeware, the Maidstone store features expanded collections across womenswear, menswear and childrenwear, alongside a larger George Home featuring bedding, bath and dining ranges.
The refreshed format reflects Asda’ s continued investment in the George brand, with a focus on creating easy-to-shop spaces that showcase its clothing and home collections.
“ We’ ve been incredibly encouraged by the responses to our standalone George stores so far,” said managing director, Liz Evans.“ Maidstone is another important milestone in the evolution of the George brand, giving customers even more choices across fashion and home, and creating a more enjoyable and more convenient shopping experience.”
£ 26,800 RAISED FOR SPECIALIST CANCER CARE EQUIPMENT
The Chartwell Children’ s Cancer Trust has raised £ 26,800 to fund four specialist high-acuity observation monitors for Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Costing £ 6,700 each, the monitors will support the Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit as it expands its services to provide infusional chemotherapy locally. This treatment involves the prolonged administration of cancer medication and requires continuous, high-level monitoring so that clinical teams can detect changes early and respond quickly.
Tiger Ward currently supports around 40 children receiving cancer cars and is developing a dedicated Infusional Chemotherapy Suite to allow more treatment to be delivered closer to home. The new monitors will help ensure the unit is safely equipped to support children and young people requiring complex treatment, while reducing the need for some families to travel to specialist centres further afield.
“ We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this appeal a success,” said Michael Douglas, founder and senior trustee of The Chartwell Children’ s Cancer Trust.“ This undertaking was about more than funding new equipment- it was about helping children and young people receive specialist cancer care safely, locally and with the reassurance of being closer to home. Tiger Ward plays a vital role in supporting young patients and families facing cancer, and we are proud to help strengthen the care available through this expanding local service.”
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