Kentish Express Ashford & District
Tough times for closure-hit extension
When County Square’s £60m extension opened in March 2008, almost 55,000 people paid a visit in the first three days, with shuttle buses laid on to ferry shoppers from Dover Place to Tufton Street.
Next, River Island, H&M, New Look and Jane Norman all joined Debenhams in the £60m development, with centre bosses saying “there will no longer be a need for shoppers to travel to Canterbury”.
But now, 14 years on, the closure-hit extension is a mere shadow of its former self – although some of the 21 new units added to the centre have never been filled, including one facing Apsley Street.
Woodchurch-based Rob Woods, a former town centre manager for Ashford, Folkestone and Hastings, says he is now concerned about the town’s independent traders.
“Whilst it’s disappointing that two well-known brands in H&M and Next have recently announced their decision to close, it’s unhelpful to assume this is a reflection of the town or a negative reaction to new owners,” he said.
“It is likely to be a considered estimation of how much space they will need to satisfy faceto-face demand in the future, where they see their growth markets and to what extent their current premises can aid them to integrate online and physical shopping.
“With 11,000 store closures in 2021 alone nationally I think it’s inevitable we’ll see more in 2022.
“My concern for Ashford now is the sustainability of the independent traders that help to define its character. They can’t rely on the footfall generated by the national names and so-called anchor stores as in the past.
“They can, however, learn from the experiences of the chain stores and move towards a business model that reflects the change in buying habits, benefits from both types of shopping and encourages loyalty.
“Some may need support to do that but expertise is there in abundance in Ashford.”
■ Steve Salter is away