Two takeaways are to open in Ashford town centre, filling units next to each other in Bank Street.

The shop space under Trafalgar House has been unused for a number of years, but will now become home to a pizza delivery shop and a chippy.

TK’s Fish and Chips, which currently operates from a site on Lydd high street, will be opening its second shop, while Fireaway will be lunching its third Kent branch.

Owned by Tracy King, the former is set to open just after lockdown and is touted to be bringing jobs to the town.

She said: "Vicky, my fryer who has been so great in the Lydd shop, is going to be coming to Ashford and she and I will be starting it off working together while we find the right staff, including two or three kickstart placements.

"We will have click and collect available on our own site and also collect and delivery with Just Eat. We always use quality ingredients and cook to order.

"I have only been in the business for just over a year and have loved it. I wanted the challenge of a busier shop and think the location is going to be perfect once things get back to normal.

"In the interim, I am hoping that Just Eat will keep us busy.

"The fit-out has taken longer than I hoped with some obstacles both Covid and non-Covid related, but is nearly done.

"I will be installing my trade fittings over the next week and a half to two weeks and the last thing dictating our opening is having the gas meter installed which I hope will allow us to commission the range and open for December 4."

Fireaway promises pizza made in three minutes or less, and since launching in 2016 has seen more than 40 franchises open.

The chain - which currently has stores in Sittingbourne and Chatham - even offers unique desserts such as Nutella pizzas.

"The food delivery businesses are booming at the moment with the virus"

Ashford’s new franchisee, 22-year-old Harry Singh, has been working hard during the pandemic to fit-out the unit, and is excited to bring the venture to the town centre.

The Gravesend resident said: “The speed our pizzas are made make it an absolutely incredible concept, and on top of that they’re not like Domino's or Papa John's - they’re light and feel healthy.

“The fact that Fireaway has so many shops in just four years shows how popular the pizzas are.

"The food delivery businesses are booming at the moment with the virus.

"No one’s going to restaurants, they’re all staying at home and if they want a special treat they go onto one of the food delivery apps like JustEat or Uber Eats.

“I’m hoping to open quite a few branches over the next five years, hopefully between five and 10 stores.

“There’s been a lot of issues moving in, and I’ve had to build it up from an empty shell by myself. So it’s been a very busy few months but I can’t wait to get it open.”

A grand opening is being held on Thursday, December 3, when Mr Singh will offer special deals.

Work is currently underway to introduce two more eateries - The Gastronomist and Unita 4 - at the Elwick Place leisure complex, less than a minute's walk away.

The new arrivals come hot on the heels of the departure of RJ’s American Diner, sited opposite the new Trafalgar House shops, within two years of opening.

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