Ambitious plans to fill Ashford's Park Mall shopping centre with “interesting and independent” traders have been revealed.

This week, Ashford Borough Council secured the purchase of the ailing arcade in the town centre following months of detailed negotiations.

Contracts were exchanged on Tuesday and the authority says the deal is likely to be sealed within the next few days.

The acquisition of the precinct, which is peppered with empty units, follows on from the purchase of the Wilko store by the borough council in May.

Leader of ABC Cllr Gerry Clarkson told Kent Online's sister paper, the Kentish Express, this week that he looks forward to welcoming new businesses into Park Mall and he hopes to fill the centre with “interesting and independent” traders.

Cllr Clarkson (Con) added: “Up and down the country high streets are changing, and we must adapt and evolve the offer locally.

“The council is grasping the opportunity to breathe new life into the town centre. We are stepping in and taking action in order to rejuvenate the area.

“We have heard people say that the town centre needs revamping and we are addressing those concerns.

“Buying Park Mall brings it into local ownership, creates an asset and income stream for the council and will enable us to develop the town centre as a whole.”

Although the long-term plans for the arcade are still to be drawn up, ABC says the short-term plan is to rejuvenate the shopping mall, by enhancing “the look and feel of the centre”.

Cllr Clarkson said that changes to the centre will start “as soon as the deal is complete”, meaning alterations could begin as early as next month.

He said: “Once sealed, we’ll be looking at working on improvements.”

The leader has also set up a task group to focus on the mall and filling it with businesses.

It will be called Park Mall – Dynamic and Occupancy Steering Group and will be led by Cllr Graham Galpin, who is the cabinet member for Town Centre Focus and Business Dynamics.

Cllr Clarkson said: “They will take on finding occupancy for those units throughout the summer.

“Hopefully we’ll secure a lively Park Mall. We want meaningful, quirky and attractive shops that will create a vibrant town centre.”

The council hope to attract new retailers to the area by providing support and advice, potentially looking at incentives and generally making it easier for retailers to let the space.