Cattle market helped town centre thrive

One subject that is still a regular talking point among many old Ashfordians is the relocation of the town’s famous Cattle Market to Sevington from the well-known Elwick Road site it had occupied from July 1856 until the late-1990s. Whilst it undoubtedly has an excellent premises and site at Sevington, many say that the market’s departure from its longstanding central location was a mistake. A large section of the Elwick Road site was earmarked and subsequently taken to accommodate the new rail link through the town, which necessitated the market seeking a new site.

Its one-time close proximity to the town centre without doubt saw Ashford thrive when the market was operational. If you went to the market and it was busy, so was the town. It was fantastic to see the town so busy both when the Cattle Market was in session and in particular on Saturdays when you could always grab a bargain, and more often than not, bump into an old friend or a familiar face.

We could have been very unlucky if the market hadn’t relocated at Ashford. Like many businesses, sometimes relocation elsewhere proves an attraction and then the area concerned loses out completely. While it’s no longer in the town centre, the market still puts Ashford on the map and is well and truly a key part of the town’s business infrastructure. In a matter of months, work will begin on the new Elwick Place development which includes a new cinema and restaurants, so the site will hopefully be bustling once more.

This week’s trio of images takes a look back at the market’s former home in Elwick Road at the end of the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Many thanks to Edwin Bartlett of Ashford for the splendid images.

Do you have any photographs or slides that you would be willing to lend me, to be scanned and featured in the Express? Write to me, Steve Salter, Kentish Express Remember When, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR, email me at rememberwhen_ kmash@hotmail.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @ SteveKMAshford

You can also leave a phone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.

Or you can also leave a telephone message for me with brief details by calling 01233 623232.