Ashford Borough Council is relaunching its business grants scheme for Ashford Town Centre, an initiative that provides businesses with the opportunity to bring vacant commercial properties back into active use.
Following the recent approval of the new Empty Property Grants Scheme by Cabinet in March 2025, a budget of up to £90,000 has been allocated to specifically assist with filling empty units in the town centre.
This initiative builds upon the success of the Ashford Town Centre Support Grants (ATCSG) programme, which operated between October and December 2021.
During that period, the council approved 23 grants, including six Empty Property Grants. These grants proved effective in bringing these previously vacant shops back into operation, creating 10 new jobs.
The council believes that this new scheme could have a similar effect, further reducing the number of empty properties, supporting local businesses and contributing to the prosperity of the town centre.
Vacant shops are a nationwide problem for town centres, with an average vacancy rate across the country of 14%. Ashford Town Centre’s vacancy rate is at 18%, which contributes to local challenges such as reduced footfall, business turnover and increased levels of anti-social behaviour.
By incentivising investment into empty premises, the council hopes to bring Ashford Town Centre’s vacancy rate below the national average.
Keli Nolan-Lyons, Ashford Borough Council town centre regeneration manager, said: “We hope to see an injection of vitality and energy into the town centre by assisting businesses to take up the opportunity to fill vacant properties with the relaunch of the Empty Property Business Grants.
“By giving businesses some financial help to fill those empty commercial spaces, the council are aiming to foster economic growth and create a more visitor-friendly and dynamic community for everyone.
“With this proactive approach, we aim to build a thriving future for the town centre and positive steps forward to help create a place that everyone will want to spend time and money in.”
