Kentish Express Ashford & District
Delivery lorry brings down town’s lights
Delivery driver takes out festive decorations
Homeware giant B&M opened its new store in the town centre – just hours after a delivery driver from the firm wiped out Christmas lights.
Keen shoppers queued outside the town’s former Woolworths, waiting for the store to open at 9am last Friday.
The shop, which is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, has created 35 jobs.
Manager Nadine Snelling, who lives in Sittingbourne, said the red-faced driver hit the festive bulbs in Bank Street after following his directions from his sat-nav.
She said: “The shop has two postcodes and the driver used the one which leads to the front of the store in the High Street.
“We think there is so much opportunity in Ashford, and that is why we are here – it is a really quirky place.
“We will be open from 8am to 8pm up until Christmas, and will then look at our opening hours after that.
“Our stores work really well in town centres, and we are pleased to be here.”
B&M bosses, who already have an out-of-town store on the Ashford Retail Park in Sevington, will open the shop between 10am and 4pm on Sundays.
Customers can expect toys, food and drink, health and beauty products, homeware and a pet range.
Regular Kentish Express contributor Steve Salter photographed the Christmas lights drama on Thursday evening.
He said: “The driver took a wrong turn and went up Bank Street instead of going around the back of the store to deliver in Edinburgh Road.
“Because the lorry was so high he took the lights down with him and wiped out several rows.
“He got as far as Kingsfords Solicitors before realising. The lights got caught between his cab and the trailer.”
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk