Ashford town centre reset approved as Mecca Bingo theatre debate continues
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Updated: 17:19, 16 December 2020
A bold blueprint aimed at overhauling Ashford town centre has been approved â but councillors are calling for more transparency.
As revealed last month, the town centre reset plan lays out the borough councilâs methodology for how to make the high street and surrounding roads more appealing to shoppers.
The Park Mall shopping centre could become a residential scheme
It will see an investment corridor created between the high street and Ashford International station, aimed at beautification, improved shop diversity and culture.
The reportâs author â Ashford Borough Councilâs (ABC) town centre regeneration manager Hannah Clayton-Peck â suggests Park Mall could be converted into housing, while highlighting Middle Row as an area with âuntapped potentialâ.
Ashford Borough Council snaps up Park Mall car park in town centre
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Updated: 18:30, 10 December 2020
The two-storey site will come under the ownership of the authority after purchasing it from Chariot Investment Holdings.
The Park Mall car park is now owned by ABC
The price is not yet known, with a council spokesman saying: âIt canât be disclosed at the moment due to commercial sensitivity.
âA report is due to be presented to cabinet in December.
âBy purchasing the leasehold interest in the car park it will generate a revenue return which will assist in closing the councilâs budget gap caused by this yearâs pandemic.â