Kentish Express Ashford & District
Furniture shop ‘a fantastic addition’
Ashford’s new DFS store opened its doors to customers for the first time on Saturday.
The Mayor of Ashford, George Koowaree, declared the furniture shop open for trading by cutting a ribbon as the chain became the final occupant of units at the recently revamped retail park off the A2070 at Sevington.
The new shop attracted more than 50 applicants for the managerial and sales staff roles it has created.
Darren Porter, the store manager, said: “We couldn’t be happier after the success of our opening in Ashford. It’s a fantastic location and the store will be a great addition to the local retail landscape.”
Mayor George Koowaree said: “Welcoming a company such as DFS into Ashford is testament to the strong retail growth experienced in the community and adds to our already robust offering of national retailers.”
The store, next to the recently opened Tapi Carpets store, will sell a wide range of sofas, chairs, recliners, sofa beds and accessories.
Other national retailers on the retail park include Argos, Boots, Dunelm, B&M Bargains, Hobbycraft, Dreams and Carphone Warehouse.
But there will be concern that the DFS opening will add to the existing traffic problems on the Ashford Retail Park.
Campaigners have been fighting for access and exit improvements at the junction with the A2070, which they have dubbed a “potential death trap”.
Nationally, DFS has been trading for almost five decades. Representatives from the Ashford town centre British Heart Foundation (BHF) store were also present at the opening, as well as charity group Porchlight – which will receive a special £200 donation.
DFS has an ongoing charity partnership with BHF, which allows customers to have their old sofa collected for free by the charity when they buy a new one from DFS.