‘GLOBAL RECOGNITION’

Simon Ryan, investment director for Locate in Kent said: “Ashford is crying out for development like this.

“Before they spoke to us, originally they were looking at Swindon, South Wales, Manchester and for a long time it was between us and Birmingham.

“Nottingham was talked about as well so this has been a really competitive journey all the way through.

“Ashford has really shone through and this will mean global recognition for the town.”

Will Butler-Adams, chief executive at Brompton said: “We need a home. At the moment we rent a big grey box in London and it’s not right for us as we have grown bigger.

“These big grey boxes in London are getting really expensive, so we need a home that we can design for us that we won’t have to move out of in 10 years time where we have room to grow.

“We found Ashford which is a hidden gem. We are coming to Ashford and we will bring some staff from London but we are a growing business and we need talent and young ideas so we will work with young people so we can create the knowledge pool locally.”

Architect Guy Hollaway said: “The whole building is on stilts and we created a circular building so you can get views out of every floor.

“We wanted it to connect to the landscape with these cycle ways that wrap around the building so people can arrive on the roof and really connect with the surroundings.

“It was a challenge, but we worked with engineers to enhance the flood risk and rewild the park so it can hold the water and soak it up like a sponge.

“We can actually improve the situation downstream in a flooding event so the houses nearby are at less risk.

Ashford council leader, Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con), said: “This represents a once in a generation opportunity for the borough to develop a partnership with an internationally renowned cycling brand, that will bring jobs and opportunities to the town, whilst returning the town’s bicycle manufacturing heritage.

“The arrival of the new factory will enable Ashford to fulfil a long-held ambition to create a wetland park that will enhance the environment and encourage more people to explore the district in a sustainable, eco-focused manner.”

“We also have the opportunity to develop the site alongside the factory so we will have a lovely wetland park.

“We have other sites, but this site was a no brainer.”

Land next to Asda in Ashford has been earmarked for the Brompton development