How a once bustling town shopping centre has been reduced to rubble

It was once described as the heartbeat of a bustling town centre – but Park Mall is now without a pulse.

Buildings including a multi-storey car park are being torn down as part of a major residential redevelopment at the heart of Ashford in Kent.

The diggers moved onto the site on Friday and demolition is likely to take up to a year to complete.

Sign up for all of the latest stories
Park Mall is owned by Ashford Borough Council (ABC), which has long had plans to build houses on the land.

Bosses said the shopping centre was ‘not financially sustainable ’ amid a declining retail sector, the loss of anchor tenants such as Wilko and escalating maintenance costs.

Their decision to flatten the centre has sparked anger among traders, with many backing a petition calling on the council to only demolish part of the site.

But the authority has pushed ahead, though it is yet to appoint a ‘development partner’ to work on the rebuild.

Redevelopment is estimated to cost at least £144million.

Simon Betty, the council’s portfolio holder for commercial property and investment said: ‘We have always held long-term ideas to transform the centre away from retail.

‘Despite our best efforts the centre has struggled, especially in recent years.

‘Now seems the right time to redevelop Park Mall so it continues to play an important role in the town centre’s future.

‘Where we can, we will support the current tenants to find suitable premises elsewhere.’
X Factor star charged with attempted murder after 'car crashes into influencer
Speaking earlier this year, Ashford historian Steve Salter said he believed the extension of the neigbouring County Square shopping centre in 2008 and the opening of Ashford Designer Centre in 2000 were key factors.

‘I think the outlet has been a huge nail in the coffin,’ he said.

‘Building that so close to the town centre should never have happened.

‘When Sainsbury’s was there in the early 1990s it had more footfall.

It was a really pleasant environment and nice shopping centre to go to.

‘So it’s a shame, as I have seen worse shopping centres in worse conditions which have been said to have more chance of economic repair.’
Arrow MORE: ‘Whimsical’ UK garden with £16 tickets crowned one of Europe’s most beautiful places
Arrow MORE: Retired carpenter took pictures up women’s skirts with phone strapped to shoe
Arrow MORE: Sainsbury’s issues prosecution warning to thieves swapping premium eggs into cheaper boxes
Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy