Kentish Express Ashford & District
Owner reveals plans to build a convenience store at garage site
Development could be home to a fast food chain as well as a petrol station
A businessman has unveiled plans to convert a former garage into a convenience store and fast food outlet.
Kanagaratnam Rajamenon took over the Willesborough Garage in Hythe Road in August and has already started work to transform the petrol station.
It included removing the older petrol tanks and installing giant new ones, while the former garage workshop has been closed. New pumps will be put in later this month.
The garage had previously been run by the Crouch family, who are continuing to run their garage at Church Road in Kennington.
Now Mr Rajamenon has revealed his plans for the rest of the site, which will include a 3,000 sq ft Budgens store and potentially other big names including KFC, Subway and Costa Coffee.
The businessman from Bromley has previously taken on petrol stations at Whitfield in Dover and the Hythe Service Station on the A259 and also runs care homes and hotels in Kent.
He said: “The garage has been closed and we will open a convenience store in most of the space. We have signed an agreement with Budgens and it may also contain a Subway or Costa Cof- fee inside the store.
“Most of the garage workshop space will be used but we have left space for a second outlet, possibly a fast food chain like KFC or for any local businesses which are looking for a cheaper premises than in the High Street.
“We will have to apply to the council for an off-licence to sell alcohol from the site and submit plans to extend the canopy over the forecourt.”
Mr Rajamenon said the new petrol tanks are double lined with systems in place to prevent chemicals from spilling into the ground. He said the previous tanks have been removed safely without any sign of petrol leaks.
He said he will be in talks with operators such as BP and Esso to take on the extended petrol station. Mr Rajamenon said the site will have plenty of parking spaces, and said once completed it could provide 20 jobs.