Controversial Wi-Fi hubs offering a place for people to charge their phones could be installed in Kent for the first time.

The BT 'Street Hubs', which are described as a modern alternative to the phone box, are part of the telecoms giant's plan to boost digital connectivity across the UK.

Bosses want to erect four units in Ashford town centre and say they will be funded through advertisements shown on "state-of-the-art" LED screens.

They claim the hubs can provide improved 4G and 5G coverage, allow free calls to emergency numbers and can monitor the air quality in the immediate area, while also being used as touchscreen maps.

Plans submitted to Ashford Borough Council show how BT wants to install the units outside Kaspa's and McDonald's in the Lower High Street, outside CEX in the high street and at the Elwick Place leisure complex by Matches Sports Bar.

While some town centre traders agree the technology would be good for the town, some remain sceptical about the anti-social behaviour they could attract.

In Brighton, where the units have already been installed, the city council has complained that they are a magnet for graffiti tags and vandalism.

Dahn Rogu, from Variety Cash and Carry in the Lower High Street, who could have a hub directly outside his shop door, has mixed views about the screens, which come with USB ports to allow people to charge their phones.

"Why not put them in Ashford? Even though the town centre itself is very small, the population is huge now," he said.

"If you have a network here, it will really boost the area.

"But having it right in front of the shop could be a problem for us.

"It could attract anti-social behaviour; a lot of young people might come and steal things.

"Why not put it somewhere near the trees by the side of the fountain [outside Sports Direct]?

"If you moved it slightly up, it would be fine."

Rabin Gurung, who owns the nearby Momo Kingdom takeaway, questioned the need of the hubs in Ashford and has concerns over the one planned for outside McDonald's.

"It won't impact my business so I have no issue with them being there but in my opinion, I don't think people will stand there to charge their phone," he said.

"Especially at the weekend, where there are lots of people walking around.

"Outside McDonald's, I don’t think that will be beneficial because from 3pm there are a lot of young kids who hang around over there and police are always there.

"Most people nowadays have mobile data so they won't need the free wifi.

"If it gets damaged, who will pay the money?

"With the one outside Kaspa's, in the evening, sometimes delivery drivers pull up on the footpaths when there is no space to park so it could get damaged by cars too.

"It will have to be behind a barrier, otherwise it will be an obstruction.

"Maybe a bit further up, in front of Poppins Cafe at the top end of the high street, would be better because people don’t gather there."

Kay Lal, who runs Cafe Express in the Lower High Street with her husband Alex, agreed that McDonald's could be a problem spot, but thinks the hubs could be a really good idea for the town.

"Anywhere else would be okay, but McDonald's is not the best place," she said.

"Down by Kaspa's is quieter so it will be fine.

"If you get free wifi you have to think you’ll get lots of teenagers hanging around to use it.

"Ashford could be the first location in the county to benefit from them..."

"But it does sound quite cool, I do think it’s a good idea to have them."

BT says each box would be remotely monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and physically inspected and cleaned at least every two weeks in a bid to reduce any issues.

Any old worn out BT payphones left in the town centre will also be removed under the plans to free up space and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Over at Elwick Place, the proposed hub would sit in a section of 'Shared Space', a scheme where pedestrians and divers have equal priority.

Adding illuminated signs to the already unique road layout is something Jon Shephard, owner of Matches Sports Bar, feels could be a distraction for drivers.

He is going to lodge an objection against the one planned for outside his unit.

"For me it’s all about public safety," he said.

"It has to be a strong concern because it is a really busy junction with the unique environment in the Shared Space.

"These illuminated signs could be a distraction for motorists with a consequential increase in risks to pedestrians and other road users.

"In terms of having them in Ashford, I don’t necessarily mind too much, I see them as a modern phone box, but in terms of that location in particular, I think it's in completely the wrong place and I will be lodging an appeal against this one."

In a statement, a spokesman from BT said the company is "currently exploring where Street Hubs could be introduced in Kent".

"Ashford is among the key locations identified and could be the first location in the county to benefit from them," he said.

"We believe Ashford would benefit from the improved functionality offered by Street Hubs including free ultra-fast Wi-Fi, rapid device charging and the potential for improved mobile connectivity.

"Street Hubs also take up less space on high streets than traditional payphones and can provide further benefits such as air quality monitoring for local authorities.

"Our teams carry out routine inspections on a fortnightly basis to check for any damage and to make sure the hubs are functioning correctly.

"We also deploy cleaning teams to our hubs on a regular basis, who perform their own checks.

"We would urge anyone who witnesses criminal activity such as vandalism to report it to the police.

"And while crime and anti-social behaviour are police matters, we remain committed to working closely with the authorities and local communities to help where we can."