Ashford EDG February 2026 Minutes
Ashford Economic Development Group – February 2026 minutes
Nettie Buss (AB) – Chair
Maria Callow (MC)
Lucy Clark (LAC)
Steve Garnett SG)
Peter Heritage (PH)
James McComas (JM)
Andrew Osborne (AO)
Tudor Price (TP)
Jason Rainbird (JR)
Tom Shaw-Dunn (TS-D)
Tim Sheppard (TS)
Richard Stafford (RS)
Natalie Ward (NW)
- NOTICE AND QUORUM
The chair reported that enough notice of the meeting had been duly given and that a quorum was present. The chair declared that the meeting was open at 8.30am.
- APPROVAL OF PRIOR MINUTES
Minutes of the board meeting held on 15th January 2026 had already been approved. The chair had been authorised to sign them as a complete record of the relevant meeting.
- ANY MATTERS ARISING/PREVIOUS MEETING
No matters arising.
- BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
Business rates
RS met with Sojan Joseph MP to discuss business rates and minimum wage concerns. Sojan will take RS’s concerns to central government and report back. TP also shared concerns about large infrastructure projects having high business rates. AO added for example Eurotunnel’s rates are up by 200% this year.
RS mentioned for some businesses in Ashford town centre business rates are higher than rents. PH mentioned brands at the outlet who are struggling being profitable, struggle to cope with rising business rates too.
Utilities
TP shared that Phil Galpin has reached out to EDF, BT Openreach and South East Water to attend a future AEDG meeting. TP shared a South East Water business newsletter link for businesses to sign up to https://mailchi.mp/a27a48d2b019/non-household-sign-up-form
LINKEDIN AEDG
JR has set up a public page; this will be shared shortly.
Eurostar
AO shared that a ‘Kent Stations Working Group’ has been set up. They are trying to engage with Virgin and Trenitalia. Network Rail are in discussion with Eurostar about a track access agreement. Virgin are looking to get an agreement with Eurostar about Temple Mills.
AO outlined key topics to resolve are the upfront costs it will take to get Ashford back up and running; the operational cost for running the station; and the incentive scheme London St. Pancras could offer to an international rail provider.
AO shared that Jon Worth a rail journalist had endorsed Ashford as the preferred departure station in Kent
Business Engagement Event Ashford College
LAC reported that all businesses that attended the stakeholder event pledged to support the college. LAC intends to make it a regular event and is considering making it a networking event potentially in the summer. TP will look into to see if the college could host a future Chamber Connection or Invicta Connect event.
Kent Hospitality Forum
JM updated on the key topics of concern remain around the minimum wage, food inflation and business rates. The minimum wage increase has made it prohibitive for some businesses to recruit 18-24 year olds.
KCC recently presented the new iteration of Visit Kent. There will be Tiered Partnership Packages to include marketing campaigns, travel trade promotions, networking events and insights.
The forum is also engaging in the Armed Forces Covenant. The LSIP is also now monitoring the hospitality and visitor economy. The forum will meet again in three weeks. JM reported positive feedback on recent T Level placements, Eastwell Manor have seven placements working for them and he is really impressed with them.
Skills 26 event
TP shared that 280 that have signed up for the event and they aim to secure 350 delegates. The Deputy Director for Skills England will be delivering the open address.
BROCK
AB mentioned that there had been a recent BBC news item about Brock costing more that £3m to deliver in 2025 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cev7evmz7dmo. TP agreed we still need to find a long term alternative solution.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS
TP mentioned the Kent AI Conference is on 24 June and it will be headlined by Microsoft. TP shared the Kent Apprenticeship Awards is on the 6 June – EKC and Mid Kent College are seeking apprenticeship nominations. Plans are also afoot for the University of Kent, Kent and Medway Business Summit in September. In addition, TP is seeking feedback on the Employment Rights Act.
NW said she will see if she can source an agricultural representative to join the AEDG at the Women In Agriculture South East event.
PH said they are planning to change the existing Zebra crossing at the entrance of the outlet to a Toucan crossing to ease traffic congestion. McArthur Glen is prepared to fund 50% of the total cost of £250,000 and looking to KCC to fund the remainder.
