A new Thai restaurant will open in the town centre this month in the former Press Rooms premises.

When it opens, Po Thai in Park Street will be the only authentic Thai restaurant in Ashford, the next nearest being The Swan at Charing.

The restaurant will offer a range of options and provide a lunchtime menu and Thai tapas to try samples of the dishes if diners are undecided.

Managing director Ben Godfrey and his partner Pat have spent thousands of pounds on genuine Thai decor to keep in with the restaurant’s theming.

Mr Godfrey, originally from Maidstone, said: “We are really excited.

“It’s right outside the new Panorama building.

“Having a town centre venue is great.”

Despite there being other types of cuisine close by on North Street such as Italian and Indian, Mr Godfrey sees their location as a good thing for business.

He said: “North Street is almost becoming the food quarter of the town.”

The building will maintain its current mezzanine floor and function room, which already has interest for yoga classes, life coaching sessions and art work.

Once the Park Street business is up and running, the team plan to run cooking courses in Thai food at the venue.