Big names failed to materialise but units now going

All but one unit at the Elwick Place development is now under offer, according to council bosses.

The development – which is owned by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) – has faced criticism since opening in December 2018 following the lack of interest in units underneath the cinema and Travelodge hotel.

Initially expected to be filled by big-name chains, it took more than a year for the first food-and-drink tenant to move in.

But during an ABC cabinet meeting last Thursday, the authority’s head of corporate property and projects, Paul McKenner, said: “It is pleasing to report that of the nine units in Elwick, all but one is under offer and going through legals.”

Built on the site of the old Ashford market, ABC says the development is intended to grow the town’s night-time economy and become a destination in its own right.

In a report prepared ahead of the cabinet meeting by Philip Bond,

ABC’s senior commercial estates officer, he says there has been a “significant change in the retail sector” since the development was planned and designed.

“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated the situation in the retail and leisure sector,” Mr Bond said.

“The impact of how we leave

Europe is also unknown at this time.

“However, against this background, the council and its development partner, Stanhope PLC, has been in negotiations with a number of parties interested in taking up leases within the development.

“While there is still uncertainty in the retail and leisure market, if the leases are signed, it is possible that the majority of the development may be let by Christmas or the New Year.”

During the meeting, council leader Gerry Clarkson (Con) confirmed progress is being made.

“The areas are filling up, but we do have to give some attractive discounts to them to get them in to start with, as they did with Canary Wharf,” he said.

“The big development there was empty for a year, but they gave people free rent for a year and now you couldn’t get in there if you tried – it’s like a complete new city there now.”

An Afro-Caribbean restaurant featuring a tapas lounge and bar is still set to open at Elwick Place.

Dansaki – which means

‘thanks to God’ – was set to open underneath the Travelodge in December last year, catering for about 110 diners.

But despite hosting a launch event last winter, the 2,325 sq ft unit remains empty.

In a statement, Dansaki said: “Covid affected a bigger part of our current business which is event catering.

“This was funding the restaurant project and at the moment our focus is to get that back on its feet which has pushed our opening date much later than we planned.”