Big majority want town market to move back

Almost 80% of people say they would like Ashford town centre market to move back to the top end of the high street.

It comes after long-standing stallholders told the Express that the market - which is currently operating from the Lower High Street - could close if it doesn’t relocate to a more prominent part of the town.

More than 1,100 people voted in the poll on our website KentOnline, which asked readers if they would like to see Ashford’s town centre market move to the Upper High Street.

It revealed that 78% of voters would like it moved to a central location, with 22% of people are against the idea.

The market has reduced to five stalls since it relocated to its current spot 11 years ago.

Stallholders have requested to move back to their former spot, but Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has advised them to improve the appearance of their stalls and promote the market on social media in order to increase profits.

ABC refused to comment further on the results produced by the online poll.

A previous statement issued to the council in response to criticism of the markets’ location stated: “We have not refused any specific ideas and are in discussions with the stallholders.

“We will continue to support the market as we do the rest of the town centre businesses and have made some suggestions to them about changes that could be made to ensure that the market adapts to the changing nature of our town centre.

“We want to keep a market in the town centre.”

Many stallholders and readers think Ashford’s market should move