Kentish Express Ashford & District
Complex opening delayed
The opening of a new leisure complex which is being constructed near Ashford town centre has been delayed by several weeks.
Construction workers have been busily working to transform a group of derelict buildings in Dover Place over the past seven months - as part of Ashford Borough Council’s £850,000 Coachworks development.
All three zones - including the Event Yard, Platform and Hot House - had been set to open to visitors today (Thursday).
But the official launch is now expected to take place between Friday, November 22 and Sunday, November 24 as work to create a food and drink destination in the former Ashford Youth Theatre building is still not complete.
Attention has now turned to the building’s interior, as the roof to the former theatre building has been dismantled and replaced with translucent cladding.
Designed by Carl Turner Architects, it is set to feature an eye-catching mezzanine level and be lit up to transform into a lantern at night.
Council bosses had previously said the development will only have a five-year lifespan as the land is due to become the second phase of the Commercial Quarter in later years but the time period could be extended if the scheme is a success.
The Event Yard - an outdoor entertainment area used for vintage clothes sales, food markets and acoustic music events - was the first attraction to open back in August.
Last week, freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses moved into newly-built office space in The Platform building.
The business hub is billed as offering flexible, co-working space, offices and meeting rooms for up to 200 people - which bosses say is the first of its kind in Ashford.
Ashford Borough Council has said of the development: “The Coachworks forms the latest phase of the Commercial Quarter, helping to transform the area between the town centre and the railway station.”