Dozens of developers, commercial agents and retail experts gathered at London St Pancras to learn more about doing business in Ashford, one of the fastest growing towns between the capital and Continental Europe.
Nearly 80 delegates attending the Ashford – Locate, Innovate, Succeed and Live event listened as Ashford Borough Council Leader, Cllr Gerry Clarkson, set out a compelling case for them to get involved in Ashford’s dynamic development.
“We mean business and we want to talk to you about yours” was the key message they took from the leader of the largest borough in Kent and the man who has helped transform the town into the best place to do business in the county (according to a Locate in Kent poll).
Guests included speaker Bob Neill MP and retail giants such as Lidl, Subway, Picturehouse and Travelodge, some of whom are already involved with delivering large-scale projects in Ashford – there are currently £520m worth of developments underway in the town.
Feedback from delegates at the end of the event was hugely positive – one executive said he couldn’t believe that a local authority could adopt such a dynamic and business-savvy approach to economic development.
One delegate – Natalie Elphicke, CEO of The Housing & Finance Institute – was so impressed that she was inspired to produce a written case study for her members on ‘how to put on an excellent business engagement event’. Natalie said: “I think it is a really good example of excellence for others to follow.”
Council Chief Executive Tracey Kerly said: “With projects such as the Commercial Quarter topping out this month, the opening of the £26m Ashford College and our Big 8 projects coming to fruition, this is the right time for us to reach out to existing stakeholders and new ones to share the growth successes of our town.
“We are proud of what is being achieved, but still have many opportunities for businesses which are looking for a proactive, involved council who support that growth.
“St Pancras was the ideal location for us to hold this event, reminding guests that Ashford is just 38 minutes from central London with HS1. Our economic team was on hand to answer questions about key development sites and Frazer Thompson from the Chapel Down Group shared his Ashford success story and plans for the Curious Brewery coming to the town.
“It was a vibrant atmosphere and we hope the event has put Ashford at the forefront of many minds,” she added.
Investors in Ashford are participating in another event to showcase the progress being made in shaping the town’s future. Delegates attending the Ashford Investor breakfast briefing on 27 October will learn more about the rapidly accelerating pace of investment and the key role played by funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Christian Brodie, the SELEP Chair, and Ashford MP Damian Green, Minister for the Cabinet Office and the First Secretary of State, are the keynote speakers. They will review achievements made in transforming Ashford into an economic powerhouse in Kent and look forward to identify future opportunities for growth.
