Ashford EDG April 2025 Minutes
Ashford Economic Development Group – April 2025 minutes
Cllr Simon Betty (Cllr SB)
Susan Bonett (SB)
Nettie Buss (AB)
Maria Callow (MC)
Lee Collette (LC)
Steve Garnett SG)
Katie Hodson (KH)
James McComas (JM)
Andrew Osborne (AO)
Tudor Price (TP)
Jason Rainbird (JR)
Tim Sheppard (TS)
Dan Sherlock (DS)
Richard Stafford (RS)
Pete Tomsett (PT)
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
CLLR SIMON BETTY
AB welcomed Cllr Simon Betty (Cllr SB), Ashford Borough Council (ABC), Cabinet Member for Commercial Property and Investment. Cllr SB updated the AEDG on his remit at ABC.
Park Mall – the freehold was completed in January 2025, the council is working with tenants to find new properties. AO mentioned they are looking into a version of the Empty Property Grant Scheme to support tenants.
Elwick Place – ABC has taken over Ashford Cinema in Elwick Place for a year and it will run for a further 18 months, the cinema is becoming more of a community hub.
Coachworks – has a new operator, the venue is adding to the night time economy.
Industrial Estates – Cllr SB is keen to bring forward more sheds, smaller industrial units to the borough.
International House – this is mostly fully let, home to Southeastern training centre among others including Ashford Borough Council.
Newtown Works – had £14.7m levelling up funding and this is already being invested into the site.
Parking – the offer in Ashford is one of the lowest rates in the County at £1.30 per hour with the Council also having a number of schemes that provide free parking at different times in certain car parks. Ashford Town Centre also has 29 electric charging points.
KH asked about the Odeon site, Cllr SB confirmed the project is still ongoing and a number of regeneration ideas are being considered.
ADULT EDUCATION – ASHFORD COLLEGE
SB discussed the DfE is planning a 6% cut to national skills budgets. It has a potential impact on 1000s adults not being able to upskill although the change is confusing.
SB reminded the AEDG that businesses can access the Growth Skills Fund which can be used to upskill and train employees. Ashford College would like the AEDG and KiCC to lead on what employers/businesses can already do to train staff.
SB said this is an opportunity to promote adult upskilling – the potential is unlocked. SB further suggested collaboratively KiCC could help to scope what are employer concerns and feedback on what they think. AB mentioned small businesses are experiencing challenges with the increase of the minimum wage.
DS remined the AEDG on the collective goal to bridge the gap between businesses and skills. SB has already had success with bridging the gap locally with the health and social care and engineering sectors.
RS offered to support Ashford College with setting up a business workshops. TP said there is opportunity to feed into the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and suggested to invite Camilla Maurice, LSIP Project Manager to the next meeting.
BROCK UPDATE
TP is still endeavouring to improve communications with KRF. AO reminded the AEDG to focus on the long term solution to Brock.
EUROSTAR UPDATE
AO updated on there are now three potential rival operators, Virgin Group, Evolyn and Gemini to Eurostar. TP is still exploring the opportunity to run a campaign to support the ongoing ABC Bring Back Eurostar video campaign and TP is reaching out to French MPs to get involved. TP and AO have been invited to be interviewed on BBC Radio 4 next week about Eurostar.
