Owners of a popular business park want to expand the site as it continues to “buck the trend” of failing high streets in the county.
Mersham-le-Hatch Business Village, off the A20 near Ashford, has submitted plans for five additional retail units amid “significant demand” for more space.
Bosses hope to extend a recently converted garage to provide two more units and construct a new building opposite to offer three further spots.
They say the scheme “will be inkeeping” with the rest of the site, which was opened by late entrepreneur Jimmy Godden and forms part of the historic Mersham-le-Hatch Estate.
The plans, submitted by Mr Godden’s widow Rochelle, are being considered by Ashford Borough Council (ABC), which approved the original scheme in 2004.
All current spots at the business park, which is formed out of ex-stable blocks and outbuildings of the nearby manor house, are occupied, meaning owners need to “construct new units that are sympathetic in design”.
In a statement prepared by S. I. Chartered Building Surveyors on behalf of the owners, it said: “The business village has developed over the last 15 years and is now a successful commercial development, but is sympathetic to its historic surroundings.
“This is very much bucking the trend that is currently being experienced nationally within the general high street.
“As there are no other buildings within the development to convert, it is therefore necessary to construct new units that are sympathetic in design to the current buildings.”
It is hoped the construction of the new units will add at least 10 jobs to the site, which is home to two restaurants and a variety of businesses.
The former garage earmarked for development is currently home to Mrs Page Aesthetics and Easy Feet Podiatry, and both businesses have welcomed the scheme.
Chloe Page, 25, who opened Mrs Page Aesthetics in 2022, said: “Personally, I can’t wait for it, I think it’s going to be amazing.
“It would be nice if there was more footfall, but it’s absolutely beautiful here, and there’s a lot of potential for any new business to thrive.”
Lucy Willcox, 27, owner of Easy Feet Podiatry, believes the development provides an ideal spot for businesses.
“I looked at Ashford town centre when I was looking for my own place and the rates were ridiculously expensive for what I would’ve been getting,” she said.
“Shops are shutting down left, right and centre, people just aren’t going to town anymore.
“I think business parks like this are better. It’s like a little community. We all recommend each other, and you don’t have the same parking issues you have in town, either.”
A decision on the plans is expected to be made in May.
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
Elsewhere in the Ashford borough, a gift emporium has taken over an empty unit in Tenterden.
Sid’s Emporium opened in October, filling the shop between County Clothes and Vicki’s Bridal Boutique in East Cross.
The owners spent three months converting the space, which features 52 stalls.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
