Kentish Express Ashford & District
Team effort keeps firms feeling at home
Three businesses are still operating out of the former Kent Wool Growers (KWG) site – two months after the farming retailer closed.
The farmer-owned co-operative went into administration in August following a downturn in trading.
But three small businesses – Greensleeves County Clothing, Ashford Gun Room and the British Wool Board – are now trading at the site in Tannery Lane.
Daniel Lewis, who hopes to move his Kent Farm Supplies firm to the town centre spot soon, says the businesses are working together.
He said: “Amazingly enough, I don’t think word is out yet that KWG has collapsed into administration.
“We have heard customers saying they can’t believe it has gone and people have still been pulling up in the car park thinking it is there.
“It is a great team effort and that is how KWG used to feel – it had a family vibe and everyone got on with everyone else.”
Father-of-three Mr Lewis, who lives in Swan Lane, Sellindge, says the future of the site is unclear as it is earmarked for development.
“The businesses are quite aware they will have to find somewhere else,” he added.
“But because it is a wellknown site, they wanted to go back there and they are getting a lot of footfall.
“No one knows what the future is for the site, but we will carry on as long as we can there.
“We have only been given a six-month lease and anything after that will be on a rolling basis.”