More colourful benches designed to boost trade in Ashford over the summer have been installed in the town centre.

The pink and blue seats – as well as tables and bunting – have taken up seven parking bays in Bank Street and will remain in place until the end of October.

They follow the arrival of other seating areas in Middle Row last week which were criticised for causing a 'parking nightmare'.

Ashford Borough Council says the new additions are part of a short-term project which aims to enhance public spaces by creating attractive places to meet.

Bharat Shrestha, who owns Ashmi Jewellers in Bank Street, feels the tables and chairs are a nice addition but unloading can be a problem.

"I do like them, they're nice," he said.

"With spaces gone, it's a little bit of a problem because when we are unloading it can take time and we can't park there any more.

"Other than that, it is good."

The benches are also directly outside The Little Teacup – a cafe which opened in January in short-lived sandwich shop Sheds.

Owner Russell Geen, who also runs The Little Teapot in Park Mall, hopes the latest additions will help draw people to the area.

"It's definitely a good idea for Bank Street, it brings the area up, it shows an investment in the town centre which is what is needed," he said.

"I hope it will draw people in and encourage them to stay."

On the loss of seven parking spaces, he said: "I don't believe it has been a problem.

"What's the difference of seven more spaces not being available as we're already a few hundred down with Edinburgh Road closed?"

The 289-space multi-storey in Edinburgh Road closed last month after part of the ceiling on the second floor fell in.

The unreliable lifts at the facility were also closed the week before after failing a safety inspection.

Meanwhile, the top floor of Park Mall car park remains closed, cutting town centre parking spaces further.

A spokesman for ABC says while spaces in Middle Row and Bank Street have been covered, no disabled bays have been suspended in either road, and signs and notices were placed last week.

If the scheme is successful, it could lead to more permanent features in the future.

Interactive signs will also be introduced nearby so visitors to the town can find out more about the scheme by scanning QR codes.