Ashford EDG September 2025 Minutes
Ashford Economic Development Group – September 2025 minutes
Jo Brown (JB)
Nettie Buss (AB)
Maria Callow (MC)
Steve Garnett SG)
Andrew Osborne (AO)
James McComas (JM)
Jason Rainbird (JR)
Dan Sherlock (DS)
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
KENT HOSPITALITY FORUM UPDATE
JM shared the sad news about Visit Kent ceasing trading. Eastwell Manor will not be directly impacted but smaller operators will. Visit Kent contributed to coordinating marketing campaigns and managing the ‘Experience’ websites across Kent and Medway.
Two-thirds of the hospitality forum is made up of smaller operators, so they share concern about what next for tourism campaigns. The forum is growing with members like Port Lympne Reserve and Chatham Dockyard joining.
The forum is setting up a meeting with Cllr. Paul King to discuss how he might be able to support moving forward. AO mentioned the key concern is about achieving that international reach to overseas visitors.
JM added bootcamps have been a positive intervention and there is talk of expanding the scope of the delivery of these to be multi-operator to encompass the full range of hospitality.
ASHFORD COLLEGE UPDATE
JB shared they are at the end of enrolment and Ashford College is oversubscribed. They have a record 1,200 young people and 300+ adults, they are at full capacity. The college has waiting lists for every course especially the trades, such as plumbing and electrical.
JB updated on the results and overall the college’s pass rate is up 2% across all courses, 74% achieved a qualification at all ages. For Level 3, 86% passed and Level 2, 74% passed. They also achieved an increase above the national average for Maths (an 8.4% increase) and English (an 8% increase).
JB commented that the college is still struggling to secure work placements. A work placement equates to 315 hours a year, one day a week for two years. AO said he would promote via the Ashford Business newsletter, JR said he would consider taking on a placement, SG said he would contact the college to see what he could do.
EUROSTAR UPDATE
AO shared that there will be a Eurostar event ‘Grow in Kent’ on 26th September at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International, hosted by KCC’s Leader, Linden Kemkaran. The petition has secured close to 67,000 signatures and they hope to secure more.
AO mentioned the Office for Road and Rail (ORR) has been approached by all potential operators about sharing access at Temple Mill with Eurostar. It is expected there will be a judgement announced in October.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
TS-D sent a message to AB to express his concern over road closures in rural areas around the busy harvest time period, especially in the Appledore and Tenterden areas. AB mentioned she could contact MP Katie Lam. AO suggested TP could raise it with Simon Jones Director of Highways and Transportation.
MC mentioned that there is a Growth of Ashford event at the chamber on 17th October. AO mentioned there is local resident concern over a proposed battery storage facility in Brabourne – if installed it would be the size of three football pitches.
