MAIDSTONE’S newest offices are set to create up to 450 new jobs. Property experts have launched a marketing offensive designed to let the impressive new County Gate complex by the summer.

Construction of the two blocks on Royal Engineers Way is now complete. Cllr Dan Daley, Maidstone council’s Cabinet member for economic development, welcomed the scheme.

He said: “I think it’s a fine and fitting entrance to the town and it’s long overdue. I am delighted to see it here and I look forward to it being occupied soon. The views from the building are stunning and enhanced by the river park.”

Cllr Daley hoped it would attract a well-known company looking for a corporate headquarters.

“I’m just delighted to see that someone has the guts to put some money here in a speculative way. It shows great confidence in the town.”

Robert Martine of Clokes chartered surveyors said he was hopeful that at least some of the offices would be let by the summer.

It was unusual to have a development of such high quality in Maidstone, he said. There had already been considerable interest in spite of the difficulties in the commercial property market caused by the September 11 terrorist outrage.

“The timing is a bit uncertain but there is demand for this type of building,” he said.

He hoped to attract a single occupier but that might not be possible. “We’re more likely to let it in quite big chunks,” he said.

“It is a top specification and I don’t think there is anything in Kent better than County Gate - certainly there is nothing like this quality in Maidstone.

The development, offered at rents of £21.50 per sq ft, was undertaken by Kent-based Milroy Properties and funded by Nottinghamshire County Council Pension Fund.