Ashford Town Centre
Ashford Town Centre has benefited from over £520 million investment, which have resulted in new office blocks which in turn has attracted more highly-skilled employees and businesses, alongside new leisure destinations.
One of the most vibrant towns in the South East, Ashford offers a unique location for retailers and food and drink businesses thanks to a growing population (10% growth expected by 2025).
Ashford has 410 food and drink enterprises, the highest in Kent. And Ashford Town Centre is building a reputation as a key destination to eat and drink, as visible with Curious Brewery and with The Coachworks.
With developments such as Elwick Place to the likes of Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social, and The Ashford Cinema, (former Picturehouse), the town centre’s retail and leisure scene is becoming increasingly diverse, helping drive commercial interest from exciting, new businesses and attract more visitors to the area.
The strategies and actions put in place by Ashford Borough Council have been highly commended by the Government, who have since developed a similar model to help high streets across the UK.
Love Ashford
Described as ‘Ashford’s digital high street’, Love Ashford is an online platform dedicated to showcasing local businesses and promoting the high street and town centre. Business owners and residents are able submit business listings, special offers, events or news stories to Love Ashford for free promotion on its website and social media channels.
Love Ashford is also heavily involved in organising events that drive visitors from elsewhere in the borough and the county. For example, the Ashford Food and Drink Festival, Carnival of the Baubles, and Create Music Village.
For more information, visit the Love Ashford website.
Economic Impact
Whilst the majority of UK towns are noticing a clear decline in town centre footfall, Ashford has been bucking the trend, with increased footfall and reduced vacancy rates thanks to proactive actions by the Council.
Introducing free parking in certain car parks after 3pm and on weekends, organising events and experiences in the town centre and developing a clear strategy for the Park Mall shopping centre have all benefited the Ashford high street over the last couple of years:
- Footfall increased 5.8% in 2018 compared to 2017, and has been increasing since, with an 7.9% increase in in the year to November 2019.
- The Council reported a total of 287,000 visitors in the town centre in April 2019.
- Vacancy rates have been clearly reduced in 2018.
These increased numbers of visitors have had a positive impact for independent retailers, who have noticed a 17% increase in trading figures in 2018 compared to 2017. Made in Ashford, a craft shop ran by local creatives, has even reported a 30% increase in trading figures for the same year.
Key retail and restaurant locations in Ashford
High Street
The Ashford high street boasts uniqueness with many independent retailers taking up vacant units, alongside some upcoming national brands. Brands and retailers will benefit from events put on by the Council in the high street on a regular basis.
Through initiatives such as free parking at certain times throughout the week, the council is leading the way for town centre regeneration and is determined to buck the national trend of a struggling high street.
Elwick Place
A 100,000 sq. ft. development located next to County Square and the International station, Elwick Place is a new leisure complex. It is already home to The Ashford Cinema, a 58-bed Travelodge hotel and Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social.
Located next to a 282-space car park, it is the perfect destination for a new café or restaurant.
Park Mall
Owned by Ashford Borough Council, Park Mall is a key example of the council’s belief that independent shops should be at the heart of town centre regeneration. It offers residents and visitors a unique place to shop and meet, with many independent retailers and cafes on site, alongside national brands.
Made in Ashford and Little Land are thriving, benefiting from this unique location and have seen a clear increase in their footfall and trading figures.
To find out more about Park Mall, contact our Town Centre Regeneration manager.
County Square
County Square, one of Ashford’s premier shopping destination, has visitor numbers continuing to grow post Covid (3.5 million in 2023). It is the perfect location for national brands to set up and benefit from an amazing location.
Home to some of the UK’s most popular brands, from JD Sports and Deichmann to Metro Bank and the Entertainer, County Square is a thriving shopping centre.
County Square is in the heart of the town centre and next to two car parks. For more information about available space in County Square, get in touch with their lettings agents, Colliers and Stafford Perkins.
Property Agents in Ashford
If you would like to find out more about Ashford as a retail and restaurant destination, you can get in touch with local property agents:
Ashford town centre in the press
Thanks to the council’s innovative approach, the Ashford town centre has made the headlines in many national and international papers, including The Economist, The Guardian, The Daily Mirror, Arte TV, RICS Property Journal, The New York Times and The Telegraph Business.
For more information on the Ashford town centre, get in touch with our Town Centre Regeneration manager.
