Proud of my roots but please sort out those loose cobbles!

Tony Jupe lives in South Ashford with his family. The 47-year-old, who works for Bombardier Transportation, has lived in Ashford all his life

What is the best thing about living in Ashford? The fact that you are only 10-15 minutes away from the countryside. In fact, Ashford isn’t far away from anywhere, really! What would you say to a visitor to encourage them to come to Ashford? I would recommend visiting the banks, hairdressers and fast food shops. If you like those sort of places, then you are laughing! What are your favourite shops, bars and restaurants in Ashford? My favourite shop is KLAN. My favourite bar is the British Rail Sports and Social Club, in Beaver Road, as it is a family-friendly place. My favourite restaurant is the Everest Inn, the food is wonderful and service good. What makes Ashford stand out from other towns? As I’ve said before, Ashford stands out for its proximity to other places, has the rail link, the Channel Tunnel is nearby, it’s easy to travel from and to. What is the one thing the town doesn’t have but really needs? Ashford needs to have its big market back in the town centre. It was always a big attraction in the town, meaning people stayed in the town centre longer, spending money in the local shops and eating and drinking in the restaurants and cafes. It was a good meeting place. The town also needs more for teenagers to do – more than just a skate park! What is the one thing that needs the most improving in the town? The High Street. The cobbles and slabs are loose and dangerous for the elderly and disabled. You can even hear them moving when you walk on them. Could you see yourself living in Ashford for the rest of your life? Unless I win the lottery, I will be living here for the rest of my life. Do you feel proud to live in Ashford? I’ve always been proud of my roots, as all my family come from Ashford but I don’t feel as proud now to see how Ashford has changed. It has become too big, too many people, too many houses, which equates to more crime.

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