Statement: Park Mall Shopping Centre

Published: 19/06/2025

Ashford Borough Council Leader Cllr Noel Ovenden said:

“Despite our best efforts, Park Mall is failing. Dwindling footfall and structural decline have forced our hand and hard decisions are necessary to halt the drain on our limited resources.

"With the burden to local taxpayers reaching the colossal sum of over half a million pounds a year, the people of Ashford can no longer afford to continue propping up a shopping centre which has sadly reached the end of its useful life.

“Continuing to support this venture could endanger vital public services and we have a responsibility to spend your money wisely. As I said in November last year, plans for the full regeneration of the area are still some way off but a short-term solution had to be found to reduce costs and ease the strain on the public purse.

"Having identified that the largest costs were to be found in business rates and essential day to day maintenance of the crumbling buildings our options were limited.

"By knocking down the centre and replacing it with an interim car park, it means the residents of Ashford no longer have this financial burden.

“Since 2015 Park Mall has been key to driving the revitalisation of our town centre and we are already seeking potential development partners to examine the opportunities for the exciting future of the site.

“I take the allegations very seriously that suggest the council is not in discussions with Park Mall traders or are ignoring or not supporting them.

"The Council is absolutely engaging with Park Mall tenants – directly and regularly. We’ve been offering a wide range of practical support to help them relocate.

"Our focus remains on supporting the businesses that are based there.”