The owner of a hair salon inside a soon-to-close David Lloyd club says her business has been "overlooked" in the decision.

Nicola Rose, who runs The Hair and Beauty Boutique inside the gym beside the Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre in Maidstone town centre, was shocked when she was told yesterday that she'd have just three months to move her beauty parlour.

The 37-year-old, from Rochester, said: "We have been very much been overlooked in this circumstance.

"We were devastated to find out the news and in today's economic climate, with current rental prices and all of the failing businesses around us, we have been left trying to find a new premises in a short period of time."

Nicola, who has been running the boutique for 14 years, 11 of which have been inside David Lloyd's building, has a team of 11 hair and beauty specialists.

Her business can be found just behind the leisure centre's reception and has four beauty rooms where customers can enjoy a range of hair and beauty treatments.

She continued: "We're just coming through the other side of the huge challenges that the Covid pandemic caused our industry, but now we're being faced with yet another catastrophe.

"We just feel left out and forgotten about."

Nicola found out about Maidstone's David Lloyd closure yesterday morning via a letter.

She rents her salon space from David Lloyd and, due to the company's decision to leave the building, she was given the same time-frame to vacate the property – by May 31.

Nicola added: "We're all in shock, I'm just confused about the fact that Maidstone Borough Council hasn't given me any support with this.

"They gave us the Covid Grant during the pandemic and now we're being forced to move without any negotiations it seems like the council has shot themselves in the foot."

When asked if there were any plans for the future use of the space, Maidstone council was unable to give a definitive answer.

A spokesman said: "The council is very keen to speak to businesses that would be interested in providing a leisure offering in the space at the Lockmeadow Leisure Complex and would like to see the unit occupied as soon as possible."

However, the spokesman did confirm the council would get in contact with The Hair and Beauty Boutique business owner to see if any support can be offered.

When asked about what was next for the hair salon, Nicola said: "We'd ideally like to relocate outside of the town centre due to the astronomical rent prices.

"But our main aim is to accommodate our loyal clientèle and to keep our staff together as the team that we are.

"If anyone has any idea of places we could move to please get in touch."

For further details about the hair salon click here.

David Lloyd has been contacted for further comment.

The club said yesterday it was "with a heavy heart" it had decided to close the Maidstone branch, and members are being encouraged to move over to its gym in Kings Hill from June.