00:00Ashford is at a crossroads.
00:03Several businesses have closed their doors in recent weeks.
00:07The scenes don't quite add up with the figures from the council.
00:10According to their annual report it says that the rate of empty shops had fallen in January
00:15this year.
00:16A new local plan has been launched this month with the aim of shaping where and how development
00:20takes place across the town.
00:22Ashford Borough Council say that it's keen to work with local businesses and retailers
00:27and while there has been an increase in footfall here on the high street, it's not necessarily
00:31felt by some of the people we spoke to today.
00:34It just seems to be getting quieter and quieter, noticing a lot of shops closing.
00:39It has been quite quiet over the past month or two-ish.
00:43It's quite a busy little town.
00:45I don't see, I know a lot of people are quite negative about the footfall but I mean we do
00:51we do fine.
00:52I don't know if that's because we're established.
00:54Ashford Council told Kentonline that footfall is up 2% in the town centre.
01:00They told us that town centres remain under pressure but it's supporting businesses through
01:04grants, events and regeneration including plans to bring the former Odeon back into cultural
01:10use.
01:11They also say that town centres across the country are facing pressures from the cost of living,
01:16online shopping and changing working patterns.
01:19Lesley Riding who manages an independent low cost grocery shop thinks that access, parking
01:25charges and the cost of fuel are primary issues.
01:28A lot of the shop environment is about social contact and especially the small independent
01:36shops.
01:36So I think making a bit more like the traditional shopping environment instead of the big, you
01:43know, neon lit supermarkets.
01:46While Ashford's figures suggest some signs of improvement, I asked several people what
01:50they wanted from their high street.
01:52The street that represents the community because right now what I see is people just going
01:58about their lives, not really caring about where they live.
02:01I don't feel like there's not a lot to come here for other than to eat.
02:05And it would be nice to see that variation because then you would see the customers come in.
02:11The consultation process is open to residents and businesses until the 23rd of September.
02:17The question now is whether Ashford's plans for the future can translate into a town centre
02:24that works for businesses and residents today.
02:27Elliot Lawton, KMTV News, Ashford.
