Bosses at the Metro Bank say they are committed to Ashford after signing a 25-year lease for their new town centre spot.

The empty Clintons cards building at the entrance to the County Square shopping centre will become home of the lender, which already has branches in Canterbury, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

The bank, which listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2016, will open seven days a week, creating 25 full-time jobs.

Bosses have submitted a planning application to change the signage of the building, which has been empty since July last year.

They want to strip back brickwork above the entrance and replace it with a new glass frontage.

The bank will go over two floors, with the first floor offering a 'mezzanine banking area'.
Metro Bank spokesman Tele Lawal said: “We are expanding in Kent and opening another seven-day-a-week, customer-focused store in the heart of Ashford later this year.

“We are investing in our high-street presence and creating around 25 new jobs in the process.

“Our stores provide tangible benefits to the local community, whether that is through our free-to-use coin counters for customers and non-customers alike, instant account opening with cards printed right there on the spot, safe deposit box facilities or hosting business networking and community events.”

It is not yet known when the bank will open.

To view the plans, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 18/00292/AS application.