Wednesday 27 October 2010

RAP Saves a Lady

Due to budget pressures as a result of the economic recession Maidstone’s Christmas Park and Sail shopping trips on the The Kentish Lady Christmas were due to cease this year.

The Kentish Lady is the only boat in the country which has been offering a Christmas Park & Ride service. Established over 10 years, it has delighted shoppers to the town at this festive time of year. The boat has carried an amazing 5000 passengers in the last 5 years. A local business, RAP Office Contracts, owned by Julie and Richard Anderson has stepped into the breach and saved the service from annihilation. RAP Office Contracts has itself felt the squeeze from funding being withdrawn from the government’s Building Schools for the Future and felt that it was time for Kent business to pull together and create a change for the better in the town.

RAP have therefore sponsored the Kentish Lady to provide a park and sail service operating from the Museum of Kent Life – who have provided the parking - to sail to and from Maidstone during November and December, 2010. They have also added a few surprises for passengers by donating ticket sale monies to Maidstone Survivors of Bereavement Suicide.

Children will be delighted when, on one special park and sail, someone dressed in red with a snowy white beard will distribute gifts and entertain them during their trip. This should give parents ample time to write their shopping lists!

RAP , having signed Kent County Council directive for Backing Kent Business a few years back take their Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously and have raised over £25000 in the last 3 years for other charities.

Councillor Ben Sherreard, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “We are delighted that RAP has stepped in and saved the park and sail service. The decision to stop it this year was taken most reluctantly. We wish them every success in this venture and we’re pleased that money is going to a very good cause.”

RAP would like to thank Lee Bennett and Bill Moss of Maidstone Town Centre Partnerships who have brought the business side of this sponsorship together and helped RAP ensure that the park and sail is promoted throughout the town. Leaflets detailing dates and times of the Park and Sail service will be available in local shops.

“We urge anyone coming to Maidstone to use the Kentish Lady just once. Their trip will be a stressless, enjoyable ride up the River Medway safe in the knowledge that they are committing their monies to a charity that supports parents of young people who have carried out or thought about carrying out suicide. In this recovering economic climate we continue to remain positive about our business and hope that by helping others we can make just a small difference to a charity that sadly many people need to know is there for them in a time of need. There is no way we could have lost The Kentish Lady from Maidstone”, comments Julie Anderson of RAP. “We will be staging a weekly competition on the boat where passengers will be able to win a variety of fabulous prizes.”

Many local businesses have pledged their support to this year’s extra special Park and Sail trips and RAP would like to thank Lucy from Dance Flair, John from Kent Life, Dean from Signs and Imaging, Suzie Brooks and Paul Alcock from The Mall,Jane from Fremlin Walk, Vronni Ward from the Hazlitt Arts Theatre, Pink Cadillac man, Tourism lady, Jo from Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and all the shops in Maidstone who have offered to display the leaflets so everyone in Maidstone is reminded of the dates for the Kentish Lady trips.

Santa arrives in Maidstone on November 13th on The Kentish Lady at 11am and will then ride through Maidstone in a very modern chariot.

Dance Flair will be welcoming him onto dry land down on the river!

Everybody welcome!

Details are also available from

www.rapinteriors.com

www.kentishlady.co.uk

www.mtcm.com

www.maidstonetourism.com

Or call 01622 663232 RAP – ask for Julie

Monday 11 October 2010

Why a refurb must be done before Janurary 2011!

From 4 January 2011, there will be an increase in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent. This will apply to any sales except zero rated goods (food, children's clothing, books), reduced rated (children's car seats, domestic fuel and power), or exempt goods (education, health, financial services).

Further Reading

Email us now to beat the VAT rise


Fire Risk Assesment

RAP have partnered with Wilkinson Construction Consultants to provide you general and specific fire risk assesments, to fit you projects.

Please download the PDF here

And contact us through the website or email here