Get the latest property market news straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters on the Isle of Sheppy is the cheapest postcode area to buy a home in Kent Homes in the ME11 postcode area sold for an average of £224,167 each in the 12 months to the end of February That’s less than any postcode area in our county with at least 20 sales over the last year A Dover postcode area is the next cheapest place in our county to buy a home Houses sold for £234,660 each on average in the CT17 postcode area That’s followed by CT8 (Westgate-on-sea) with an average home sold for £263,493 ME4 (Chatham) with an average home sold for £269,836 and CT11 (Ramsgate) with an average home sold for £276,858 You can find the average sale price for every postcode area in the country using our interactive map here: Riverhead has the highest average sale price of any postcode area in Kent to have had at least 50 sales over the last 12 months Houses sold for an average of £869,163 in the TN13 postcode area The TN3 area was the next most expensive place to buy a home in our county The average home in Langton Green sold for an average of £742,464 last year That’s followed by TN11 (Penshurst) with an average home sold for £642,976 TN14 (Cudham) with an average home sold for £635,825 and BR6 (Orpington) with an average home sold for £604,481 CT10 (Pysons Road Industrial Estate): £399,920 CT10 (Pysons Road Industrial Estate): -6.9% Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox Reform UK took all seven Kent County Council seats available in the 2025 Local Elections as they contributed to the party's stunning overall success Going into the election six of the seven seats were held by Conservatives with the other held by the Green Party however both parties suffered losses at the hands of Reform Pamela Williams will now represent Ashford Central Dean Burns has been voted in for Ashford East Ashford Rual South will be represented by Bill Barrett Nick Wibberley in Ashford South and Wayne Chapman in Tenterden Overall on Kent County Council Reform UK now has overall control and holds 57 out of the 81 seats the Lib Dems are the second largest party with 12 councillors The final two seats are taken by Labour councillors down from the five the party held before the election Full results for Ashford borough are listed below: Ashford Rural East - REFORM GAIN FROM GREEN Ashford Rural South - REFORM GAIN FROM CON For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list For detailed results from the other 11 Kent County Council areas Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone and Hythe Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells The Conservatives' 28-year rule at Kent County Council (KCC) ended today in dramatic style as Reform UK caused a "political earthquake" Nigel Farage's party took 57 of the 81 seats at County Hall in a resounding victory few imagined possible even a week ago major changes in the way it is run and managed It was a day of wild celebration for Reform UK across Kent and the end of an era for Kent Tories whose leader declared their demise as "apocalyptic" even before lunchtime Maxwell Harrison said he was "absolutely chuffed at a damned good result" And he warned that one of the first tasks at county Hall will be to open the books and identify where there is waste Cllr Harrison said it will be a US-style Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) purge of "nonsensical spending" Nigel (Farage) has made it absolutely clear that we are going to open the books and see where the money is going wrong and things that are nonsensical spending will be gone "KCC will be run on a common sense agenda while providing the best possible services for the people of Kent." The new Reform members are expected to pick the leader of the council tomorrow with Maidstone South Member Linden Kemkaran as a possible front runner Brian Collins (Ashford Rural East) and Richard Palmer (Swale West) are two other names likely to make a bid Conservative candidates and supporters arrived at their counts with a growing sense of dread and desperation whose leader Nigel Farage will arrive in Kent later today Few believed an Electoral Calculus poll a few weeks ago which predicted Reform UK would capture 41 seats – the requisite number to take control of the authority The vastly contrasting scenes across Kent will be the prelude for a very different county council which even its own councillors had branded too "pale Mr Gough sat on a plastic chair in front of the stage with a party colleague he said afterwards: "Obviously I am deeply disappointed It is extremely sad to lose my division which I have represented for 20 years and sought to do my best for these communities It appears to be part of a much bigger picture we are seeing across the county and indeed the country." Conservative Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott described his own party's crisis as "potentially existential" He said: "What has happened in Kent is happening all over the country We have to prove to people that we are relevant "But we have all these Reform councillors and very few of them have any experience running a council very serious services that involve some of the most vulnerable people and if they get it wrong they could end up closing it down." The writing was on the wall when Reform UK narrowly took the Labour safe seat of Runcorn and Helsby overnight by half a dozen votes When Conservative Jordan Meade was the first to lose his seat in Gravesend there was a sense of grim resignation among the Tories Thereafter it was a procession of victories for Reform UK and it became increasingly likely the Liberal Democrats would form the opposition Every Conservative cabinet member was booted out Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group at KCC Cllr Richard Streatfeild warned a big win for Reform UK will come with its challenges He said: "It is an absolute political earthquake sweeping away the Conservative administration lead the council into devolution and keep it afloat for the next few years "It will be our job to hold the new administration to account They have no idea how to run a county council and that will become clear It takes time to bed in as a council but there are so many challenges in front of them." Defeated Swale independent Mike Baldock said: "It's the anger at Starmer This has been turned into a referendum on Starmer; nobody wanted to know about local issues "'We've got to get Starmer out' 'Got to give him a kicking' that's what I was getting on the doorstep They don't care that this is Kent County Council What we're seeing today across the country is a damning verdict on a dreadful Labour government "People have made a rash decision they'll feel good about but they will find out they've elected some hard-right economic policies which will destroy our services It's quite a bleak prospect for the next few years I think Reform have washed Sittingbourne and Sheppey turquoise." Cllr Palmer said: "The common theme on the doorstep is people want change They're fed up with people promising and never delivering Whoever wins KCC will have a difficult path because KCC is skint We seem to send all our money to other places and don't have anything left for ourselves Lib Dem group and opposition leader Antony Hook said: "I think reform has completely failed to answer questions about what their policies will be for local councils we have a budget of £1.5 billion and 70% of that goes on adult social care looking after children with special educational needs or making sure they get a good education and home to school transport Whoever runs the council has no choice but to provide them "Those services are under real pressure We've heard not a dicky bird from Reform about how they're going to improve or protect adult social care So I think people who have voted Reform may feel quite disappointed quite quickly that they don't really see any improvement to their lives from Reform." For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list All of the results have now been declared for the Kent County Council elections within the borough of Ashford Voting took place yesterday (Thurs 1 May) and the count was held today in the Stour Centre For the full Kent County Council election results visit the Kent County Council website The Ashford Food & Drink Festival will be returning to Ashford Town Centre for a third time this summer which have been a month-long celebration of businesses connected to food and drink in Ashford Town Centre 2025’s Ashford Food and Drink Festival is going to be brought to you from Ashford Borough Council as a one-day event giving attendees the chance to experience mouth-watering flavours and tastes from all over the globe the high street will be lined with food and drink stalls plus Elwick Place will be bringing back Ashfood! There will also be a special stage put in situ hosting food masterclasses and Radio Ashford’s Sam Griffin will be DJing throughout the day amongst local businesses presenting and entertaining us with their local knowledge and skills connected to food and drink In addition to kids’ crafts activities (including a cardboard kitchen) there’s pizza making sessions at The Ashford Cinema and eccentric food-based puppetry and street theatre There’s also the chance to take part in the Great Ashford Sarnie Trail This year’s festival will also feature The Great Ashford Sandwich Competition Entrants are encouraged to create as bizarre but brilliant combinations as they can imagine and all will be judged by a team of panellists The winner will receive a package of fabulous prizes as well as having their winning sandwich promoted and sold throughout the town centre Ahead of the event, there will an Evening with the Wine Garden of England and Boys Hall – featuring tutored English wine tasting and samples of local produce, all alongside live jazz – at St Mary’s Church on June 27. Tickets are available through the Revelation Ashford website “I am absolutely thrilled that Ashford Borough Council are bringing the Ashford Food and Drink Festival back to the town centre for its third year,” Keli Nolan-Lyons Town Centre Regeneration Manager for Ashford Borough Council we are packing all the excitement and deliciousness into one fantastic day “I am looking forward to the vibrant atmosphere throughout the town centre and experience the chance to see everyone having a great day eating and drinking their way from stall to stall experiencing street theatre and taking part in the Great Ashford Sandwich competition as well as supporting all of our wonderful hospitality businesses.” To find out more about the Ashford Food & Drink Festival, visit the Love Ashford website Harmony Fire has secured an additional £2.4m contract with Ashford Borough Council to upgrade fire doors across its residential properties following an initial £1.2m contract awarded in October.  Both schemes fall under Ashford Borough Council’s strategic programme of fire safety upgrades at its property assets across Kent’s largest borough and this latest award encompasses independent living accommodation and multi-storey social and affordable housing blocks.  The council procured this resident fire safety upgrade work through the LHC Public Sector Framework to secure cost and programme efficiencies which enabled Harmony Fire to mobilise and deliver the first phase in an accelerated five-month period This latest win includes the installation of both individual flat and communal area 30-minute fire rated (FD30) door sets at nine residential blocks across the borough with work expected to conclude by the middle of the year.  said: “Ashford Borough Council’s ambitious programme of fire safety upgrade work relies on the rapid mobilisation and deployment of our specialist teams to carry out fast-track and fully compliant installation of the very latest fire rated door sets The LHC Framework has played a key supporting role in facilitating this process which places resident safety at the heart of the council’s commitment to communities.” Ashford Borough Council’s Interim Assistant Director of Housing said: “We are committed to investing in our housing stock to ensure the highest standards of safety and comfort for our tenants Delivering these fire safety upgrades in a timely and cost-effective way is critical to ensure we are taking every step in protecting our residents.”  with many trying to stay relevant in the face of shifting shopping habits lower footfall and the loss of many high street names It is clear that town centres need to offer more than just shopping in the future if they are to remain the hub of our town and a place that business can thrive.  The Town Centre Reset is a council initiative to providing more and differing reasons to visit Ashford Town Centre and introduce informal play opportunities and enhanced public spaces that make attractive places to meet and spend time.  parts of Ashford Town Centre have looked a little different as temporary new seating furnishings and bunting decorated upper Bank Street and Middle Row temporary public realm and outdoor seating Now another scheme is shining a light on the Lower High Street fun and something a little bit different with several trees now displaying feature lighting which will bring some animation to the area The lighting will be used Thursday to Sunday evenings all-year round plus for some events there will be colourful lighting displays when they will be on for longer periods Remembrance Sunday and in the run up to Christmas complementing the Christmas lights in the lower high street during November and December Lighting up this part of the town will help with safety concerns and is in direct response to trader’s feedback We have replaced the lights to look after the health of the trees and the new lights allow the trees to expand and this covers a three-year maintenance period The new feature lighting was paid for through government funding and section 106 developer contributions from the Designer Outlet and The Range developments This is funding allocated specifically for spending on town centres and is not funded through local taxpayers The recently expanded United Makers of Kent Food and Creative Market is held on the first Saturday of every month is growing in popularity and a children's train-themed play area is proving a big hit with youngsters and providing different reasons for families to visit and spend time in town This joins other well-established events like The UnFRAMED Mural Festival last spring the Ashford Food and Drink Festival in the Summer Create Music Village in the Autumn and Carnival of the Baubles in Winter Ashford Borough Council is relaunching our business grants scheme for Ashford Town Centre This initiative provides businesses with the opportunity to bring vacant commercial properties back into active use.  Following the recent approval of the new Empty Property Grants Scheme by Cabinet in March 2025 a budget of around £90,000 has been allocated to specifically assist with filling empty units in the town centre.  This initiative builds upon the success of the Ashford Town Centre Support Grants (ATCSG) programme which operated between October and December 2021 These grants proved effective in bringing these previously vacant shops back into operation creating ten new jobs.  We believe this new scheme could have a similar effect further reducing the number of empty properties supporting local businesses and contributing to the prosperity of the town centre Vacant shops is a nationwide problem for town centres with an average vacancy rate across the country of 14% Ashford Town Centre’s vacancy rate is at 18% which contributes to local challenges such as reduced footfall and increased levels of anti-social behaviour By incentivising investment into empty premises we hope to bring Ashford Town Centre’s vacancy rate below the national average.  said: “We hope to see an injection of vitality and energy into the town centre by assisting businesses to take up the opportunity to fill vacant properties with the relaunch of the Empty Property Business Grants “By giving businesses some financial help to fill those empty commercial spaces the council are aiming to foster economic growth and create a more visitor friendly and dynamic community for everyone "With this proactive approach we aim to build a thriving future for the town centre and positive steps forward to help create a place that everyone will want to spend time and money in.” are battling to stay relevant in the face of shifting shopping habits The move to online and out of town shopping and different work patterns are impacting spending patterns across the country leading to a rethink about the role town centres need to play which will no longer be retail only centres The Town Centre Reset is an initiative which encourages active and healthy lifestyles by introducing informal play opportunities and enhanced public spaces that make attractive places to meet This includes investing in The Ashford Cinema at Elwick Place introducing a fun play space for younger children as well as organising a programme of events to draw in visitors to the town throughout the year.  We also run the Love Ashford website and social media channels news and information from our town centre.  Ashford Town Centre will be a hub for foodies this summer as the Ashford Food and Drink Festival returns for 2024.  In its second year the month-long event will serve a menu full of food and drink activities alongside offers in Ashford Town Centre this summer There will be some familiar faces returning as well as a range of new additions to make sure this years’ event has something to tickle everyone’s taste buds Ashford Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of all that Ashford has to offer from all over the world with your chance to experience the tastes and flavours of our wonderful food and drink businesses pizza making and competitions; you name it Town Centre Regeneration Manager for Ashford Borough Council said: “We are excited to bring back the Ashford Food and Drink Festival once again this summer “Last year was the first time we’d tried something like this and we received some great feedback from visitors so we’re really looking forward to its return this year It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the brilliant businesses and producers we have in Ashford Town Centre and slightly further afield – there really is something for everyone to enjoy throughout July “We hope residents and visitors enjoy discovering something new as well as revisiting old favourites by raising a glass or savouring a dish as we celebrate the variety of food and drink offerings we have here in Ashford.” Voters across Ashford borough will head to the polls on Thursday (May 1) to elect seven councillors to represent them on Kent County Council Residents in towns such as Ashford and Tenterden as well as surrounding villages have the chance to use their vote to influence policies on issues such as roads Ashford has 37 candidates standing across seven seats with each ward electing one councillor to county hall the seven Ashford seats are held by five Conservatives was elected as a Conservative before switching parties 425 candidates are standing for your votes in 72 wards across the 12 boroughs and districts that make up the Kent County Council region Medway Council does not have elections scheduled in 2025 Kent County Council currently has a Conservative majority with the Lib Dems as the next largest party on six Labour and the Green Party hold five seats each three members for Reform and one each for the Heritage Party and the Swale Independents Elections in Kent are going ahead this year despite the ongoing devolution process that is set to see the county’s current councils abolished to be replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities A full list of candidates for all of the Ashford seats in the 2025 Kent County Council elections are listed below: For a full list of candidates standing in ever area of Kent in the 2025 Local Elections click here. For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Folkestone and Hythe candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Thanet candidates click here For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here Younger visitors to Ashford Town Centre are now able to get on board a new dedicated play space as The Supersonic Ashford Express has arrived in Ashford Town Centre The plans for a new train themed play area were unveiled by Ashford Borough Council late last year just in time for Spring and the Easter half term and it has a fabulous name - The Supersonic Ashford Express The installation of play equipment in the raised area in front of the bandstand creates a fun attractive space for young children and families to enjoy in town It is specifically designed to reflect Ashford's unique heritage incorporating elements related to the town's railway history The type and style of the play equipment has been chosen with sustainability in mind as well as considering things like maintenance damage and anti-social behaviour in the design process It has also been designed with accessibility and access for children of all abilities.  and ongoing maintenance over a long period It is funded by the national UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and developer contributions (Section106) from the Designer Outlet and The Range developments (so this is not funded by local taxpayer money it is funding allocated for spending on town centre improvements) We launched a naming competition with primary schools in January asking pupils to come up with a name for our new play area We had around 30 entries and choo-chose the winner this week A delighted Quinn said: “I was so happy they chose my name I think the children will feel really good playing on the SuperSonic Ashford Express” who installed the large bespoke playground at the Ashford Designer Outlet and many more around the borough They were also behind the temporary gym equipment which they supplied in the town centre free of charge KOMPAN Area Sales Manager said: “We were absolutely delighted to be awarded the contract to install the new train themed play area in Ashford Town Centre We worked diligently with the KOMPAN Design Studio to create this unique train themed play structure around the existing planter area and look forward to welcoming visitors into Ashford Town Centre to play." Ashford Borough Council is proud to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a programme of meaningful events on Thursday 8 May 2025 The day marks the end of World War II in Europe and will honour the bravery resilience and sacrifice of all those who served The day will begin at 9:00am with the raising of the VE Day 80th anniversary flag and a public reading of the VE Day Proclamation by the Mayor of Ashford This will take place outside the Civic Centre on Tannery Lane visitors can explore ‘Discover Chilmington’s Wartime Secrets’ a special pop-up exhibition hosted in Ashford Gateway Plus the exhibition uncovers moving stories and little-known wartime history from the Chilmington area – offering a captivating journey through local heritage The day will conclude with a poignant ceremony at 9:30pm as the Civic Memorial Gas Beacon in Civic Park This will be accompanied by the official VE Day Tribute reading Ashford Borough Council is encouraging community involvement by promoting a wide range of national and local activities on its website Residents are invited to explore the resources and ideas online to get involved with this historic day Chief Executive at Ashford Borough Council said: “VE Day stands as a poignant reminder of the resilience and unity shown by communities during times of hardship We are honoured to lead these commemorations and invite everyone to take part in remembering this pivotal moment in our shared history.” For full event details, participation guidance and ways to get involved, please visit our dedicated VE Day 80 webpage or follow us on social media for updates Pride Ashford is thrilled to announce its return on Saturday promising a vibrant and inclusive celebration of Ashford’s LGBTQIA+ community and its allies This year’s event will feature a full day of activities from a bustling Queer Makers Market to a powerful protest march and an electrifying afterparty The festivities will kick off with the Queer Makers Market in Park Mall This market will showcase the talent and creativity of local LGBTQIA+ artisans and businesses the iconic Bandstand will come alive with a dynamic lineup of live entertainment Attendees can expect captivating performances from local musicians creating a joyful and celebratory atmosphere the heart of Pride Ashford will take to the streets with a peaceful Protest March through the town centre This march serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and visibility uniting the community in a display of solidarity and pride The celebration will continue into the evening with the official Pride Ashford Afterparty at the Coachworks “We are incredibly excited to bring Pride Ashford back in 2025,” said Sam Griffin “This event is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community and we invite the entire community of Ashford to join us in celebrating love Pride Ashford is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone All are welcome to participate in this day of celebration and solidarity as part of a two-week series of events celebrating women and their achievements in the town of Ashford and the world the Reclaim These Streets march will take place at Victoria Park The march aims to raise awareness about women's safety and gender equality while the events will showcase the diverse contributions of women to the community The march will begin at 14.00 at Victoria Park Ashford where there will be inspiring speeches The event is open to everyone who supports women's safety and gender equality The two weeks of events will feature a variety of activities The events will highlight the achievements of women in various fields and community service and will be raising vital funds for local charity who support women and families through Domestic Violence.  "We are excited to host the Reclaim These Streets march and two weeks of events celebrating women in Ashford," said Cllr Lyn Suddards "These events are an opportunity to come together as a community to support women's safety and celebrate the incredible contributions of women to our town You can find out more from Womxn Up through their Facebook and Instagram pages, while more information on Rising Sun can be found on their website.  Ashford’s popular town centre cinema in Elwick Place is gearing up to celebrate its 1st Birthday.  The Ashford Cinema has become a firm favourite with film lovers and has established itself as a community cinema and event space by providing affordable offers and free parking with a cinema ticket as well as hosting a range of popular local community group events.  It is also going to continue under the same management team after the council recently agreed to extend the current contract for a further 18 months families and local groups can continue seeing the latest blockbuster hits attending community events and meeting friends for a drink or bite to eat The narrative around the cinema is changing with a wider appeal and offering seeing attendance numbers increase the feedback improving and the general outlook looking more positive. The Ashford Cinema team has done a great job in continuing to offer a fantastic service while broadening the appeal and opening up the space to a wider audience it’s hard to believe how quickly it has gone," Ben Hammond we’ve made a series of small but meaningful changes to the way we do things at The Ashford Cinema with each one aimed at creating a better experience for our guests.  “We’ve been truly touched by the kind words and encouragement we’ve received from the community and we’re proud of the service and welcoming atmosphere our fantastic team continues to deliver every day "We believe that cinema should be accessible to all meeting friends for dinner and drinks or using our workspaces you'll be met with a warm welcome and many more reasons to stay “To all our customers from Ashford and the surrounding areas: thank you Your ongoing support means the world to us and it’s what allows us to keep doing what we love We’re excited about the year ahead and can’t wait to welcome even more of you to the cinema soon." Ashford Borough Council announced their intention to step in and takeover operating the venue after Picturehouse announced they would be leaving The rebranded cinema opened its doors for the first time on Wednesday 24 April 2024 under the day-to-day management of industry experts The Big Picture (Cinema & Leisure Solutions) have been transformed with a range of exciting offers and events to appeal to a more family friendly and local community audience The council stepped in to keep our town centre entertainment offer at Elwick Place open for business A year on from this decision we’re pleased to see this has worked well great customer feedback and local community groups using the venue for packed-out events this is a great tale with several ups and downs along the way In the face of great adversary the council the fantastic cinema team (the real heroes of this tale) and the community have all come together to make this story have a happy ending.  This arrangement was initially for a year but has now been extended for a further 18 months In order to continue this journey and to develop and market the cinema to any prospective new operator a full year of trading data is needed to demonstrate long-term viability By extending the support to The Ashford Cinema the council believe this will safeguard the immediate future of the cinema and provide the best possible platform to reach a sustainable long-term solution Ashford Borough Council is opening an Outreach Centre in January as part of renewed steps to support rough sleepers this winter.Together with partners the council is establishing the facility at the Beacon Centre in Bank Street Ashford to complement the work of its outreach service The council’s Single Homeless Team will operate from there three days a week (Mon/Wed/Frid) coinciding with the church’s lunch service on Mondays and Fridays providing a breakfast and drop-in service for rough sleepers and facilitate appointments from 10am to 1pm Council Chief Executive Tracey Kerly said the opening of the Outreach Centre is part of ongoing efforts to support the rough sleeping population in our area we commissioned a 12-bed supported accommodation hostel for single homeless individuals using funding from the Rough Sleeping Initiative fund under the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme we acquired 13 one-bedroom properties to further support this group consisting of three dedicated Assessment and Resettlement officers works with rough sleepers and individuals at risk of homelessness offering guidance and support to connect them with external agencies as well as helping them transition into suitable accommodation including private rented sector (PRS) properties or supported housing “Since the implementation of the Everyone In directive during the pandemic we have continued to place verified rough sleepers into temporary accommodation (TA) we must prioritise the most vulnerable individuals.“This prioritisation is based on legal definitions set by housing law While we are not legally obliged to offer TA to everyone we have taken steps to ensure emergency support including block booking three emergency bed spaces during the winter months We also offer a shower facility through our partnership with the Stour Centre,” added Tracey Kerly ABC activates the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) whenever temperatures drop below freezing allowing us to bring six rough sleepers into emergency accommodation We have already helped three individuals move on to permanent housing and the remaining three are currently accommodated under discretionary duties Tracey Kerly said: “Many rough sleepers have complex needs and may not immediately engage with us Building a trusting relationship takes time but we are committed to working with clients to help them transition away from life on the streets including those addressing drug and alcohol dependency We have successfully helped several entrenched rough sleepers transition out of homelessness despite their reluctance to leave their current lifestyle “We have just conducted an official rough sleeper count The team is working with them to secure accommodation We think there may be five or six others who meet the criteria for support but were not out on the streets that night The transient nature of the rough sleeping population means people move between locations so our team continues to make contact with as many individuals as possible to prevent rough sleeping.” ABC has outsourced its Outreach service to Serveco who provide this service to several other Kent councils This collaboration allows for more flexibility with outreach sessions now held on Monday and Friday mornings between 4am and 8am the second floor of the Beacon Centre will offer a quiet area for counselling and specialised support sessions ABC has already received positive interest from several local services including Forward Trust (drug and alcohol services) the Beacon Centre will provide access to laptops for training and life skills courses such as tenancy management budgeting and more.Thanks to a generous donation of nearly £7,600 from Tenterden-based builder MGI Contracts Ltd the council has secured match funding for the work required to open the Outreach Centre Our thanks also go to the Ashford Rotary Club Thanks also to the Headley Pitt Charitable Trust which continues to support the council’s efforts to help rough sleepers Grants of more than £3,000 have helped rough sleepers with clothing household items as well as food and other needed items the council is grateful to Tesco Crooksfoot which has raised more than £300 and is offering to supply tea and coffee to the Beacon Centre once it opens in January Younger visitors to Ashford Town Centre will soon be able to get on board a new dedicated play space as exciting plans for a new train themed play area near to the bandstand have been unveiled by Ashford Borough Council.**UPDATE** Unfortunately and it’s now likely to arrive in the New Year (Springtime) including more details on our Play Train naming competition for schools As part of the Ashford Town Centre Reset (TCR) Action Plan the concept of installing play equipment to increase dwell time and spend within the town locally was agreed It will see the installation of engaging and visually appealing play equipment in the raised planter area in front of the bandstand The design is sympathetic to the surrounding area and will create a fun attractive space for young children and families to enjoy in the heart of the town centre The equipment will be specifically designed to reflect Ashford's unique heritage incorporating elements related to our railway history and ongoing maintenance and will be funded by the national UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and developer contributions (Section106) from the Designer Outlet and The Range developments said: “I’m chuffed to see this project come to fruition We want to create a play space for young families and children to have fun and enjoy This will enhance the look of the Town Centre creating a more vibrant and attractive space which will hopefully increase visitor numbers encourage young families to stay longer and spend more money with our local businesses “The type and style of the play equipment has been chosen with sustainability in mind as well as considering things like maintenance anti-social behaviour in the design process It has also been designed with accessibility and access for children of all abilities so we hope all of our youngest residents will enjoy its arrival." “At the moment the new play train engine is without a name so we will be reaching out to local schools in the new term to seek children’s suggestions for a suitable one Further town centre improvement projects are on track in the background and we look forward to updating residents on these in due course” The works are being undertaken by KOMPAN SE Kitchen (part of Social Enterprise Kent) is excited to announce the grand opening of its second social supermarket This site is backed by investment from Sodexo and the Stop Hunger Foundation and this initiative is set to revolutionise affordable budget-friendly options including its popular £1 fruit & veg bag making fresh produce accessible to everyone Recognising that unexpected bills can strain even the best of budgets their store proudly operates a no questions asked policy Whether you’re facing a temporary financial pinch or simply need a little extra support their shop is committed to reducing food waste by redistributing surplus items and near sell-by-date stock This not only helps the environment but also ensures that more people can benefit from quality food options SE Kitchen goes beyond groceries and will be offering a comprehensive wrap-around support service designed to tackle the root causes of food poverty Members of the community can access support and guidance on budgeting These services are designed to equip individuals to gain financial stability and long-term independence boosting overall health and wellbeing “Our mission at SE Kitchen is to support the community by making nutritious food available to everyone especially when life throws a curveball,” said a Rebecca Smith CEO of Social Enterprise Kent “Thanks to the support of Sodexo and the Stop Hunger Foundation we’re able to create a space where affordability "Our wrap-around support services further ensure that we’re addressing the underlying issues behind food poverty being a social enterprise means that any profit made We look forward to welcoming the community to experience a new way of shopping that’s all about community Article courtesy of Social Enterprise Kent Long-held plans to transform Park Mall Shopping Centre moved a step closer after Ashford Borough Council’s Cabinet and Full Council approved plans to demolish the shopping centre replace it with an interim surface level car park and explore ideas for what the area could be transformed to in the future.  Despite the council’s best efforts to revive its fortunes the Park Mall shopping complex has been in a state of spiralling decline for several years and is operating at a significant loss this move would reduce the council’s operating losses on the site and pave the way forward for the onward redevelopment and regeneration of Park Mall This has been a long-held ambition for the council and remains a key priority as set out in our current corporate plan - Our Plan for the Borough (2024-2028) the council now has full control over the onward redevelopment plans for the site with these plans playing an important role in the wider regeneration of the town centre Cabinet and Full Council members agreed to recommendations to purchase the Park Mall freehold which was completed at the end of January 2025.  The next stage is taking forward a planning application for the demolition of Park Mall and Edinburgh Road Car Park and the provision of an interim surface level car park and triggering break clauses for Park Mall tenants to secure vacant possession of the site by October 2025 The council will work closely with existing Park Mall tenants and where appropriate seek to support them in relocating into vacant units elsewhere in the town centre.  The exception would be the three tenants (O2 Kamsons and Greggs) whose units face onto Upper High Street and have longer term leases as they maintain an attractive and active presence and will not impede the wider re-development of the site If Park Mall and Edinburgh Road Car Park were to remain and continue operating in their current format the council would need to allocate a significant budget to maintenance and upgrade works over the next one-two years to ensure the buildings meet all the necessary compliance standards.  Edinburgh Road car park (ERCP) provides low-cost parking in the town centre but is a low-quality parking amenity with an uninviting and hostile environment for customers and many bays are restricted due to structural columns impeding accessibility The car park continues to experience a range of costly maintenance issues The Park Mall long leasehold interest was acquired by the council in 2015 with the specific intention of facilitating a comprehensive redevelopment of Park Mall and its vicinity When the council purchased the centre in 2015 we were always clear that our longer-term plans were to redevelop the area away from retail with the national picture showing how high streets and shopping habits were changing in the face of online retail it was about taking over an unloved part of the town centre and turning it into a hub for local independent traders and while we have seen various traders come and go over the past decade we feel it’s been a success within in a really difficult trading period and not that long ago we had national media including the Guardian Mirror and ITV showcasing how we had turned the centre’s fortunes around.  In recent years though we have seen even more challenges across the retail sector including the loss of key anchor store Wilkos which has had a detrimental effect on footfall The advent of the covid pandemic slowed down any proactive consideration of redevelopment but it is now time to progress regeneration plans as the asset cannot support a continued managed decline anymore.  mixed-use development at Park Mall will serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the town centre bringing new energy and investment to the area This project is expected to transform the area into a desirable It will foster a sense of pride among residents offering high-quality housing and public spaces while also attracting visitors and businesses The development aims to strengthen the town’s economic resilience and contribute to the council’s broader objectives for sustainable urban regeneration The redevelopment will bring a range of benefits including: Site optimisation: Maximise the development potential by optimising land use for greater community benefit portfolio holder for Commercial Property & Investment said: “We have always held long term ideas to transform the centre away from retail Despite our best efforts the centre has struggled “Now seems the right time to redevelop Park Mall so it continues to play an important role in the town centre’s future we will support the current tenants to find suitable premises elsewhere and by building a short-term surface car park we will provide a nicer “An important factor in bringing the centre forward for redevelopment is acquisition of the freehold interest which provides the council with the control it needs to achieve this ambition With the centre making unsustainable operating losses this is an ideal opportunity to move forward with these plans.”  The council will shortly be advertising for Development Partners who will be invited to submit proposals outlining their approach to achieving the strategic objectives outlined above.  This invitation will provide an opportunity for experienced and qualified partners to showcase their expertise in delivering high-quality sustainable developments that align with the council’s vision for the area Your web browser is out of date. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience You can continue to the site using your current browser Kent County Council (KCC) has intervened to protect a number of bus services in Ashford that were at risk of being cancelled Stagecoach were due to withdraw several operations in March KCC has been able to use bus grant funding awarded by Central Government to fund contracts that will allow these services to continue for at least the next twelve months Residents will notice some other changes to their services from March the funding provided through KCC will ensure that residents continue to have access to a bus service KCC was awarded £22 million of funding to protect services and deliver improvements during 2025/26 the cost of sustaining buses in Kent continues to grow the council is warning of the financial pressures of sustaining Kent’s network  a long-term funding plan from Government is needed to secure a safe future for buses across Kent.” said: “While the majority of bus services across Kent fall outside the remit of the County Council and are operated on a fully commercial basis I am keen that we step in when appropriate to avoid what is a very fragile bus network contracting even further change and cut services for commercial reasons While it is impossible for us to use funding to reverse these decisions we consider whether we can intervene on a case-by-case basis “I am pleased that we have been able to use Government Bus Grant funding to save these services in Ashford but the cost of supporting services that previously didn’t require any additional funding is a concern and a pressure for KCC While we have been able to support now,  a long-term funding plan from Government is needed to secure a safe future for buses across Kent.” The changes to these and other services in the area take place from Sunday 2 March. More information on the changes can be found on the Stagecoach website updates and information from us direct to your inbox Ashford Borough Council has announced that four of its Dahlia independent living schemes have been designated as Warm Spaces this winter to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for local people to meet and socialise accessible entrance to the buildings with disabled toilets parking and free Wi-Fi are all provided by the council Throughout the time the warm spaces are available the council has arranged for other professionals to attend to provide advice and guidance to residents Hi-Kent which supports people with hearing loss said: “We piloted offering warm spaces last winter and this year we have expanded the scheme to more locations across the borough We are opening our doors to local communities where you can relax and hopefully make new friends.” For information about the national Warm Welcome Spaces campaign visit their website. Ashford Borough Council has received nearly £79,000 of funding from the leading fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) to participate in their Warm Homes Healthy Futures scheme aims to engage with hundreds of residents who have health conditions made worse by the cold including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) It is open to residents across the Ashford borough with our Climate and Energy team working with GP practices hospitals and social care teams to deal with responses and provide case-worker support to the most vulnerable residents to live in warm homes Energy efficiency advice will be given along with help to apply for grants for heating and insulation signposting to other services and local organisations and a free carbon monoxide monitor Referrals will also be made into National Energy Action by our Climate and Energy team to provide benefit checks and income maximisation.  Chief Executive of Ashford Borough Council said: "We want all of our residents in Ashford to be able to enjoy a life in good physical and mental health in a quality affordable and sustainable home which suits their needs and lifestyle "This funding from National Energy Action will supplement our existing Warm Homes offer providing a flexible delivery model which will allow us to respond to local gaps and needs It will also connect the health and social care sectors to energy advice and support to help people stay warm "We know that a variety of people are impacted by living in a cold home and this scheme will help them with energy advice and support and signposting to a variety of further support including crisis support like fuel vouchers winter warmth packs and repair and replacement schemes for heating and appliances." For more information about the scheme, visit the dedicated page on our website or email coral.allon@ashford.gov.uk On Saturday 23 November the annual Carnival of the Baubles will be lighting up Ashford Town Centre with its stunning night-time parade Make a day of it with festive activities and entertainment planned all day for the whole family and make sure you are lining the pavements along the parade route at 5pm The parade will be led by a giant five-metre-tall Fire Bird flapping its wings to the rhythm of the drums and bringing a fountain of sparks from its beak to compliment the towns Christmas lights and large lit up lanterns Due to its increasing popularity the parade route has been reversed starting in the Lower High Street and make its way up to the Bandstand before turning down Bank Street and finishing outside The Ashford Cinema at Elwick Place The lanterns have been created by local schools community groups and businesses and themed on Ashford – The Place That Makes Us – expect to see some spectacular creations including a stag and steam locomotive 9:30am–12:30pm: Christmas Fayre at St Mary’s Church 10:00am–7:00pm: Festive Makers Market at Upper High Street and Park Mall 10:00am–4:00pm: Craft activities with Made In Ashford at Upper High Street and Park Mall 12:00pm–4:00pm: Performances and live music at the Bandstand Father Christmas Meet and Greet and more at Elwick Place 5:00pm–6:30pm: Ashford’s Carnival of the Baubles parade from Lower High Street to Elwick Place 7:15pm–10:00pm: A Christmas Carole at Revelation (ticketed) please be aware that there will be road closures on Bank Street Ashford High Street and Elwick Road during the parade times on Saturday 23 November Buses from Bank Street will also be temporarily relocated to Vicarage Lane between 4pm – 7pm there's free parking in Edinburgh Road multi-storey Car Park (TN24 8LG) and Elwick Place Car Park (TN23 1DY) after 3pm Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Culture at Ashford Borough Council said: “So much work has gone into creating the magnificent giant lanterns by residents community groups and businesses with the help of Emergency Exit Arts and Made in Ashford We can’t wait to see them come to life and start the festivities here in Ashford “With lots planned for the whole family throughout the day it really is not to be missed and we hope to see you there.” For more information and to start planning your day please visit the Love Ashford website Ashford Borough Council have now moved from the Civic Centre building in Tannery Lane to our new home at International House our main back office and staff have moved across from Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.For residents this means that our face-to-face customer services are now located at International House in Dover Place but otherwise there should be no other changes to the services we deliver.Contractors have been on site since the summer preparing the existing office space at International House for our move across to our new base so we can keep any disruption to services to a minimum.Next year including the Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour council meetings will still take place in the same location in Tannery Lane.We are working on options for the future of the Civic Centre site so further updates for that part of the project will be announced in due course.Our new address is: International House as The Supersonic Ashford Express arrives in the town centre this month it is now on schedule to arrive in March and has a fabulous name - The Supersonic Ashford Express The project will see the installation of play equipment in the raised area in front of the bandstand creating a fun The only thing that was missing was a name so we launched a competition with primary schools in January asking pupils to come up with a name for our new play area I’m chuffed to see this project come to fruition so we hope all of our youngest residents will enjoy its arrival “We’re also grateful for all the wonderful name ideas which came through and are delighted with the winning entry from Quinn.” This follows on from initiatives such as the temporary seating furnishings and bunting that  decorated upper Bank Street and Middle Row over the past few summers as well as events like Unframed Mural Festival last spring Create Music Village in the Autumn and the ever-popular Carnival of the Baubles in November Plans on expanding the monthly Makers Market and creation of new permanent street trading pitches within Ashford Town Centre are also coming forward "We worked diligently with the KOMPAN Design Studio to create this unique train themed play structure around the existing planter area and look forward to welcoming visitors into Ashford Town Centre to play." Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is inviting residents and businesses to share their views on our budget proposals for 2025/26 which runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 and gives both the national and local context in which ABC’s budget is set The draft budget for 2025/26 presents a balanced position with a balancing contribution from reserves of £188,170 which is broadly in line with the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which was presented to Cabinet in November and formed the basis for this draft budget The draft budget includes a council tax increase of £5.62 for a Band D property (an increase of 11p per week) and increasing income from fees and charges The council tax collected by ABC is shared between Kent County Council (73%) Kent Police (11%) and parish councils (3%) This means ABC receives approximately 9p out of every pound of your council tax bill and with this funding ABC provides a variety of services including: Ashford Borough Council is committed to ensuring that its resources are allocated effectively to meet the needs of our community while adhering to its statutory duty to set a balanced budget each year This requires us to carefully balance our spending plans within the financial constraints we face ensuring that the services we deliver are sustainable The feedback we gather during this consultation will inform the final 2025/26 budget and help shape our future financial planning Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resource (with Special Responsibility for Housing & Homelessness) “The draft budget for 2025/26 forecasts a modest shortfall of £188,170 which will be covered by the MTFP Risk Reserve This demonstrates the council’s prudent financial planning and ability to respond effectively to challenges we are well-positioned to maintain our financial resilience while continuing to deliver essential services we remain mindful of potential changes arising from Government financial reform and will ensure we adapt accordingly “We’re eager to hear from anyone who lives or works in the Ashford borough about these proposals so please review the document and share your thoughts with us.” Have your say now on the 2025/26 budget consultation. The ever-popular United Makers of Kent Food & Creative Market in Ashford Town Centre is now even bigger and better than before from Saturday April 5.  Mark your calendars because the first Saturday of the month will see the United Makers of Kent Food & Creative Market even more vibrant with some exciting changes in store.  Ashford Borough Council formed a focused group for the market and proposed to improve the existing monthly market set-up looking at other Kent towns and cities in the process to create a ‘Best in Kent’ market.  the council has allowed for the market to expand to more spaces in the town centre allowing for an extension of traders to offer more variety to the public to dwell and spend time in the town centre vicinity.  There are over 25 stalls showcasing a wide selection of what local artisans and market stall traders have to offer including food while the council are supporting the United Makers of Kent Food & Creative Market in numerous ways the initiative remains driven and organised by the community through Craftship Enterprise CIC The council believes that rather than rip up the existing framework and replace it with something new it is better to amplify the success of something already thriving and support it to make it even more of a success.  there’s already a waiting list of traders eager to showcase their offerings in the high street Ashford Borough Council is enthusiastically collaborating with the United Makers of Kent Food & Creative Market to explore every opportunity for expansion and welcome even more amazing traders “The expansion of the monthly market is fantastic news and we know our residents will be thrilled and hope they enjoy even more of the incredible offerings that all the market traders have on offer,” Keli Nolan-Lyons Town Centre Regeneration Manager at Ashford Borough Council “We have a real belief in making our town centre a place to visit and spend time in and enjoy and supporting this market’s growth is a crucial step in making that happen and we are proud to be involved in that journey” The expansion plans for this market are just part of what the council is delivering to revitalise Ashford Town Centre and to make it a vibrant centre for all to use and enjoy the council has invested nearly £3m into the high street as part the Ashford Town Centre Reset Strategy This funding is nearly all sourced from external funds such as Section 106 funds or the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Funding.  Projects that have been delivered include the UnFramed mural festival which put Ashford on the world map and the Ashford Town Centre Business Grants which have supported existing businesses and helped fill empty shops.  Next up is the Ashford Food and Drink Festival which is set to take place on June 28 this year as a day long event throughout the town centre the council will continue to deliver the hugely popular Carnival of the Baubles and Create Music Village in the latter part of the year Through the LoveAshford website and social media channels the council continues to promote the best offers and services from businesses within the Town Centre with the aim that our residents support these businesses and activities throughout the year join thousands of others who visit Ashford town centre every week find great offers and support our local businesses!  Ashford’s popular town centre cinema is going to continue under the same management team which has seen The Ashford Cinema become a firm favourite - meaning film lovers families and local community groups can continue enjoying the latest blockbuster hits and meeting friends for a drink or bite to eat The news comes after Ashford Borough Council agreed to extend the current contract which has seen a change in fortunes to the entertainment hub The Ashford Cinema has established itself as the local community cinema and event space It is providing affordable and accessible entertainment offers to local residents whilst also delivering a growing range of community events and activities the feedback improving and the general outlook looking more positive Last year Ashford Borough Council announced their intention to step in and takeover operating the venue after Picturehouse announced they would be leaving.  The newly branded cinema opened its doors for the first time on Wednesday 24 April 2024 but has now been extended for a further 18 months said: “When Picturehouse made their announcement We stepped in for the benefit of the local community to do all we can to keep our town centre entertainment offer at Elwick Place open for business.  “A year on from this decision I’m pleased to say this has worked well "The Ashford Cinema now has a more positive story to tell therefore we have decided to extend this arrangement for a further 18 months.” The Ashford Cinema is your local 6-screen cinema If you are looking for somewhere to watch the latest new film release, to work from, catch up with friends over a coffee, or host an event, The Ashford Cinema is the place for you. You can find out more info on their website.   the cinema has become a vibrant hub for the community We have undergone significant transformation enhancing our offerings with a diverse range of films exceptional food and drink and an outstanding bar while maintaining affordable ticket prices and introducing our AAA Membership we have been proud to host an array of community-focused events reinforcing our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.  “The team and I are incredibly proud to be at the heart of the town centre bringing people together through great films we remain committed to tailoring our offers to keep our cinema accessible to all.  and we are excited to further develop our programming and experiences offering even more diverse screenings and special events designed to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds." The cinema is now under the watchful eye of industry experts This has proven a shrewd move as they have focused on transforming the cinema with a variety of exciting new offers and events to appeal to a more family friendly and local community audience.  This has included a wider programme of films There is now a range of offers providing great value for everyone including AAA unlimited monthly membership Midweek Magic (£6.99 tickets on Monday – Wednesdays) The Family Ticket and Silver Screen every Thursday morning for over 60s.  There are also accessibly screenings and cinema customers can also park for free for up to four hours at Elwick Place car park Many local community groups have made use of the spacious foyer to hold events and activities including: Hi Kent – Hearing impaired group meetings Pride Ashford - art display & LGBTQ+ films weekly yoga classes as well as charity quiz nights and other events.  Nathaniel Fothergill from Da Base Music Centre said: “Our partnership with The Ashford Cinema has been a game-changer for Da Base and the young people we work with Hosting our annual end-of-year awards show at such a professional and inspiring venue gives our students a real platform to showcase their talents perform their work and celebrate their achievements in front of family this event is a defining moment—it boosts their confidence validates their hard work and gives them the experience of performing in a high-quality setting "The collaboration with Ashford Cinema has provided not just a venue but an atmosphere that makes the event feel truly special a perfect send-off to the year’s hard work “It’s partnerships like this that help us create lasting memories and inspire the next generation of creatives thank you Ashford Cinema for being part of that journey.” The Ashford Cinema has received a significant amount of positive feedback from customers especially on value for money and quality of customer experience In order to continue this journey and to develop and market the cinema to a prospective new operator a full year of trading data is needed to demonstrate long-term viability.  Four of Ashford Borough Council’s Dahlia independent living schemes have been designated as Warm Spaces this winter to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for local people to meet and socialise.A free hot drink and biscuits This is the third year that ABC has participated in the national Warm Spaces campaign.The Dahlia schemes participating are:Danemore Tenterden – open every Thursday 12 noon-3pm from 5 November Wye – open every other Tuesday 10.30am-3.30pm from 5 November  Ashford – open every Tuesday 10am-3pm from 5 November East Stour Court, Mabledon Avenue, Ashford – open every Thursday 9.30am-12 noon from 5 NovemberCllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Homes and Homelessness, said: “We are opening our doors to local communities, offering everyone a free, warm and welcoming and friendly space, where you can relax and hopefully make new friends.”For details of the national Warm Welcome Spaces campaign visit www.warmwelcome.uk The Ashford Cinema has now been open for six months and in that time we have been through some big and exciting changes Almost 40,000 customers have experienced films such as Despicable Me 3 The team has been busy developing a new food menu which now includes delicious pizzas There are upcoming works taking place on the bar which will give the space a refreshed new look said: “We are incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received from our customers over the past six months This has meant we’ve been able to offer a diverse programme of films and events to the Ashford community “Our venue has become a space for locals to enjoy everything from coffee meet ups and cinema visits to meals with friends and special events We're continuously working to develop our offerings to cater to the whole community and the feedback we've received so far has been truly wonderful we have an exciting lineup of events and new offers that we can't wait to share with everyone in Ashford.” The cinema has hosted a number of local community groups including Nepalese community film screenings and premieres working with Screen South to support local film makers in the South East running a number of successful charity quizzes supporting various causes in Ashford and surrounding areas and worked with a variety of groups to support the local community from Kennington Under 8’s football team through to Kent Fostering Services have been using The Ashford Cinema as a base over the past couple of months said: ‘The Ukeladies would like to thank Ben very much and indeed his lovely team for all the support and encouragement they have given us in The Ashford Cinema “We are a small group of ladies from the Ashford community (part of the Ashford and District Ladies Friendship Group covering also Kent and England) We enjoy meeting together to strum and sing the Ukulele Without The Ashford Cinema's support we would struggle to find a home.”Cllr Noel Ovenden said: “The first six months of trading shows a positive direction of travel The council was keen to see more social value from the cinema as a cornerstone to our town centre and we wanted to see the space used as a community facility “The Ashford Cinema reports growing interest and momentum with these community events and overall the progress made in the first six months of trading has been positive While recent evidence shows that the cinema market continues to be challenging and the diversification into events more widely is helping the appeal of the town centre cinema offer.” The Ashford Cinema has also recently introduced: Ashford’s big-hearted Sagarmatha Gurkha Nepalese community collected 29 boxes of food items and £501 in cash donations for the town’s FareShare Kent food bank.Organised by Sagarmatha Gurkha Nepalese Community Ashford Kent (SGNCAK) the donations were presented to Debbie Burden a Food Partnership Manager at the office of SGNCAK on 20 December 2024.SGNCAK president Mr Dammar Limbu said: “The festive period brings so much joy and happiness each year around the globe but unfortunately due to various challenges and difficulties many individuals and families are struggling.“A team led by youth vice chairperson With so many kind people in our community and business participating in this year’s appeal we managed to collect 29 boxes of food and a donation of £501 to FareShare Ashford."This would not have been possible without our generous donors There are too many to list but our top donors included Store 93 Gurkha Superstore and Variety Cash N Carry."