The reopening of a shopping centre car park has been pushed back until later in the year – leading to concerns the site may stay shut for good.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) was planning to open the 300-space Park Mall facility this month after buying the site last year.

But the authority says it is now waiting for a traffic regulation order to be completed before it is able to welcome back drivers.

The delay has led to fears among Park Mall traders that the car park, which was previously run by NCP, will never reopen.

In its ‘long-term vision’ for the town centre, ABC has already said it plans to convert the shopping centre into residential, with existing independent businesses moved to Bank Street.

Russell Geen, who owns The Little Teapot cafe, says the car park has been “left to rot”.

“Glass has been smashed, the downstairs is full of litter and people are sleeping rough around the back,” he said.

“They’re getting all their ducks in line to knock it down.

“I’ve got customers who can’t come here because they used to park downstairs so they were all on one level but now they can’t.

“I’d be highly surprised if they spend the amount of money they need to spend on the car park to get it up to scratch.

“They’ve got it in their heads that this will be flats. The sooner it reopens the better.”

When the car park does reopen, it will feature automatic number-plate recognition cameras (ANPR) similar to those seen at Elwick Place.

Customers will be encouraged to pay by card, using the RingGo app or by an online account.

Ian Watts, owner of Jane’s Boutique in Park Mall, says the closure is “making a huge difference” to trade.

He said: “Apparently there’s a lot of work that needs doing to it but I’ve not seen or heard anyone doing anything so when is it going to be?

“It makes me wonder if they’re leaving it to rot because we all know what the plans are.

“They don’t seem to be making an effort to get it open at least. The longer it’s shut, the worse it is for all of us.”

When ABC revealed its plans for the car park earlier this year, it said prices would be slashed to encourage shoppers.

Before the car park shut in September it cost £1.60 to park hourly, but ABC says it will cost £1 per hour up to four hours under its control.

If the ANPR pilot is successful the Edinburgh Road car park will also become cashless.

It will cost the council just under £53,000 to install the system at Park Mall, which would rise to £137,500 if Edinburgh Road is upgraded.

Kati Ramsden, owner of Bare Bazaar in Park Mall, says she is disappointed the car park isn’t reopening this month.

“There was an overnight effect on footfall when it closed and we’ve been holding out until May so it’s really disappointing to find out that it’s going to take longer,” she said.

“There has been a big problem with litter and fly-tipping while it’s been shut, kids being intimidating, and I’ve had to call security a few times so I’m not pleased to hear it will take longer because I have customers asking after it all the time.

“A lot of the litter has been cleaned but I haven’t seen any work taking place yet which suggests it is not going to be a short delay.”

"Shutting a car park doesn’t seem like a big deal but it is..."

Vince Monticelli, owner of The Record Store, says the limited access to his shop is not ideal.

He said: "It has definitely been impactful but has it affected trade?

“I don’t know because if people really want to come here, they will find somewhere else to park because we’re a destination.

“It is a pain to be honest. The other thing is deliveries.

"When people bring second-hand stuff, like a collection, we now have a back door that is useless.

“Shutting a car park doesn’t seem like a big deal but it is.”

Annabell Best, assistant manager at the Wed2B bridal shop, said: "It's not been too much of an issue for us because most customers park in County Square and walk over.

"Staff don't tend to park there either but having it back can't be a bad thing."

When asked why the car park was not reopening in May as originally planned, an ABC spokesman said: “We are just waiting for the traffic regulation order to process – which will include a public consultation – so, once it’s out for consultation, we’ll have a clearer idea of the timescales.

“We will plan the opening once the consultation has been completed and aim for it to open in 2022 (timeline plans could be affected if there are any objections).”

ABC has owned the shopping centre, which was built 35 years ago, since 2015.