Town centre not fit for purpose

Town centres have continually evolved through time.

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker were all forced out to sea ages ago by department

stores and supermarkets and now it looks like the internet will consign department stores to history’s dustbin.

What goes around, comes around.

The relatively small ‘bit’ of Ashford within the former ring road which people see as the town centre is no longer fit for purpose and I can see why the council wants to ‘reset’ it.

The larger stores are too expensive to run and the retail offer, like most other towns nowadays, lacks variety.

Moreover, despite laudable attempts to inject life into the evening economy recently, the current town centre evening offer is still meagre for a growing town.

I can understand why town centre traders object to McArthurGlen’s proposal for extended catering hours [‘Fears for town centre as Outlet bosses want longer opening hours’, Kentish Express, February 18] but I can’t see how it will make any difference to a town centre which has already lost its appeal and, arguably, its role as the community’s social hub.

This council’s approach to the regeneration of the town centre

is unconventional.

Most towns focus on the centre and work outwards.

This council seems to have a policy of regenerating from the outside in with big developments at the ‘Shard’ site, Victoria Road and with new plans for Elwick Road.

It’s a bold policy but a risky

one.

Bold because it will eventually reposition the town centre beyond the ring road. Risky because traders loyal to the town may feel frustrated by a lack of a collective voice and attention to their needs at their most vulnerable time.

I get a sense that the current crop of objections are a cry for help and an expression of that frustration.

Rob Woods

Former Ashford, Folkestone and Hastings town centre manager

■ It is disgusting that they want to keep certain places open longer at the Outlet.

What about the poor town centre... it needs more shops opening – cut the rents and you may have some luck.

Sue Whyte