Hoardings have gone up in an “eyesore” town centre street as work is finally due to start on a 92-bed hotel.

Contractors have moved in on New Rents in Ashford - almost two years after plans were approved for the four-storey building.

Developers are to knock down six shops to make way for the development, which will also feature 10 flats on the top floor.

PDSA - the last remaining tenant in the row of shops - remains open but bosses are hoping to move to a unit inside County Square shopping centre.

Once empty, contractors are expected to take the roof off the buildings as part of the first phase of demolition.

The shops, which were built in 1978, were last occupied by Game, British Heart Foundation, KPC Events, Betfred, and HomePlus Furniture.

The operator of the hotel is not yet known, but it will offer three to four-star accommodation.

Parking will not be provided for hotel guests, but bosses say there is an agreement in place with the operators of the County Square car park which will allow visitors to use that facility.

Twelve parking spaces are proposed on the site for residents living in the flats.

Developers say the ground floor of the building will form the reception area for the hotel as well as the bar and restaurant.

The first and second floors of the unit will be for hotel use, with the third floor earmarked for mixed hotel and residential, and the fourth floor exclusively for residential.

The scheme has been designed by award-winning architect Guy Hollaway, who drew up the plans on behalf of applicant SPPF Ltd.

Last year, New Rents traders said their street has become an "eyesore" as they continue to wait for work to start on the project.

Kevin Webb, who owns Ashford Sewing Centre opposite where the hotel is planned, said the boarded-up shops are having a real impact on the town centre.

“We have noticed a big drop in footfall since the shops closed,” he explained.

“It's frustrating because we have had all these businesses going which is terrible for locals and it has left this end of town looking a bit like an eyesore.

“If they had started the demolition in the summer it would have been better for us because it is a quieter time.

“The work is going to be disruptive so if they do it at a busy time of the year it is going to be even more of a problem for us.”

In a statement, a County Square spokesman confirmed PDSA is looking to fill a unit in the centre.

“There are discussions and negotiations involving several parties including PDSA,” he said.

“Our letting agents and centre team are working on the fine details and some possible changes or movement between units.”