Ashford's abandoned M&S store will reopen as a furniture shop today – more than two years since the retail giant pulled out of the town.

Staff at HomePlus Furniture are preparing to welcome their first customers after bosses signed a 15-year lease with the County Square shopping centre.

They have spent five weeks fitting out the prime unit, which faces onto the high street but has sat empty since May 2019.

The firm had been occupying the former Argos site in New Rents but staff closed that store on Thursday ahead of today's opening.

HomePlus general manager Matt King says the team will be starting with a soft launch as the open-plan store "isn't 100% ready".

"We have got another 10 beds and another collection of mattresses to come next week but there would be no point waiting," he said.

"For the first few weeks, we just want people to come in and have a look around to see what we have to offer.

"I know there are a few empty units in the town centre so it's nice to be in here – we will bring something to County Square."

Earlier this year, HomePlus owner Martin Rose said he had decided against filling Ashford's former Debenhams unit as its three-storey set up would not suit his business.

Mr King, who has worked for the company for eight years, says staff were keen to "open everything up" in the former M&S site, removing the former changing rooms and other internal walls.

"When M&S left, they took everything with them and gutted the place," Mr King added.

"We've managed to get a lot more stuff in here than in New Rents and can cater from budget to high-end.

"When we took the covers off at the County Square entrance of the store earlier this week, it felt like we were in a zoo with everyone looking in wondering what was going on."

In March last year, HomePlus was forced to leave its site in Beaver Road as the former B&Q store was demolished to make way for the ‘Ashford Shard’ 16-storey tower block plan.

It moved into the New Rents unit last summer, but Mr Rose says he “always knew it would be a stopgap” because the shop will be knocked down if plans for a 92-bed hotel, bar and restaurant are approved.

Ashford Borough Council is yet to decide on plans for the New Rents hotel, but SPPF Ltd wants to knock down Game, PDSA, Betfred, British Heart Foundation, HomePlus and the ex-Pet Essentials unit to make way for the development.

The new HomePlus store is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and between 10am and 4pm on Sundays.