County Square Ashford — Local services in Ashford

This isn’t a centre I visit regularly as I don’t live local to it, but occasionally when we are in the area we visit this shopping centre. It’s got a wide variety of shops, which is always a plus. There are a few other things a like about it too It’s clean, you see cleaners too, not often but to be honest if it’s clean then they’ve obviously already done their job, but it’s nice to see them around when you do. There’s also a nice amount of seating around, which is good if you need this kind of thing/ rests between shops etc. Also outside the centre there are even more shops so it’s location is brilliant and it’s been surrounded by more shops, a post office, banks and more. It really does seem the heart of the area. Inside the shopping centre they even have the Ashford court!

It does however, seem strange that they’ve decided to build houses so very close to the shopping centre, but that’s nothing really to do with this review, apart from that fact that I felt a little like I was intruding in their personal space by being so close, although obviously the shopping centre was there first, it just felt a little awkward for me. There are places to eat and drink both inside and just outside the shopping centre, all pretty reasonably priced. The car park is ok too, although trying to remember your floor and the lift and/or stairs combination is a bit confusing if you’re not used to the place. It may help to have more notices up and level maps outside each door or something. All in all I would recommend this shopping centre for pretty much all of your general needs, be it homeware or gift items you need. I don’t think you’d be too...

H and M closes March 13th 2022 and Next in the autumn after 35 years in both County Square and originally Park Mall.

This shopping centre was called Tufton Centre when it opened. I have to say it's declined rapidly over the years. Clinton Cards gone, Clarks, gone. Marks and Spencer gone this year, BHS gone though nationwide but replaced by a large Poundland. HMV gone from Ashford as was Jessops. Debenhams go next month. Even the River Island and H Samuel has gone,

Ashford has a very large population and it's sad it cannot retain a number of chain stores other than Job Centres, Charity Shops, value or discount stores for a town of it's size. Diversity of the shopping has rapidly reduced.

Ashford sadly suffers from the outlet centre which I visit and enjoy which is succeeding where this place is failing.

Some of the shops in the extension have never been filled since opening which is such a waste.

Really hope Primark take the Debenhams corner as it would trade well in Ashford and bring people there.

Need more coffee shops and other stores. Would benefit from the council buying it for the long term vitality of the town centre.

Other than for H and M, the Next store there isn't much to bring people to this centre.

Better off at the outlet or Canterbury in my view. The parking is expensive as well. You can be in and out of here...

Unfortunately, so many shops, restaurants and cafés have closed down along with the major high street clothing stores, which have entirely disappeared. Some of this is probably due to the impact of Covid 19, but I also think that the cost of the rates for the shop spaces has increased to an almost extortionate rate after having spoken to a few of the shop/store employees. There is plenty of parking available although it was a bit expensive. It is good for a half-day of shopping trips for you and your family. UPDATE 12/8/22 It is great to see that some more stores and shops have opened up since my original review. Today, there are more cafés and places to eat and a more excellent range of choices when it comes to shopping; I hope things continue to improve. UPDATE 11/11/23 Things have most definitely improved, there is an excellent selection of shops and places to eat and the shopping centre is once again alive, busy and full of families enjoying a day out, major high street stores are finally back, so pleased that it once again back to its...