More vacant units at a town centre shopping arcade have gone on the market while a town's only vegan restaurant has announced it will be closing.

In the past year, multiple businesses at the Royal Star Arcade in Maidstone town centre have shut, with another two vacant units being put up for rent.

In June, The Canopy Bar shut its doors just a year after opening due to the cost of living crisis and problems in the town, while the shopping centre's own café and vape store Ohm Picked suddenly closed in October.

Now, the Allure Skin & Laser Clinic store has been joined by an empty second floor unit as the two most recent changes at the centre.

Rainbow Skull vegan grill, which moved to the arcade having spent time at the White Horse pub on London Road, has announced it will shut for good on Sunday, December 18, citing rising energy and food costs.

It is Maidstone's only vegan restaurant.

The owners of the shopping centre are advertising the 565sq ft former ground floor beauty clinic to let at £17,500 per annum, while the other vacant 658sq ft floor space is available at £12,000 per year.

The former is described as "a modern ground floor retail unit in the attractive Royal Star Arcade which is a covered and secure retail environment".

It adds: "The premises also have the advantage of a toilet facility at the rear. The premises were previously fitted out as a beauticians and so therefore may suit someone looking to provide these services."

Earlier this year Alex Smitherman, who owned The Canopy Bar, said the closure was a result of a "mixture of things".

"The cost of living is just spiralling out of control, with prices going up and people's disposable income going down," he explained.

"Alongside that, Maidstone has taken a few hits, especially with the crime rate as well as how much it costs to park.

"With the recession yet to become official – although for many of us it has already hit – it is going to be a bleak few months, and it just made sense business-wise to call it a day.

"We can leave feeling proud of what we have done, and go out knowing that we have people who liked what we did and will come and see us off."

Royal Star Cafe and Ohm Picked vape store were forced to shut after being repossessed by their landlords.

It is not yet confirmed why the businesses were taken back.

Royal Star Aracde is managed by Harrisons Chartered Surveyors.

The company has been approached for comment.