A family-run sewing shop which has served Ashford for more than 40 years has had a top-to-tail refurbishment.

Ashford Sewing Centre in New Rents is one of the longest-standing independent businesses in the town centre.

It closed its doors for three weeks while traders refreshed the interior and has now reopened with a new-look store for its sewing machines, haberdashery and knitting supplies.

The shop was started by founder Jim Symes in November 1981 when he opened his first unit in Bank Street.

Two years later it moved to New Rents where it remains a staple in the town centre today.

Business partner Kevin Webb, who is also Jim's son-in-law, says he is really pleased with how the upgrades have turned out.

"We applied for the local council grant and we got a contribution of £5,000 which prompted us to then give the store a top to tail refurbishment," he said.

"We have been here for about 40 years so it was time for a much-needed revamp.

"It has been very positive and everyone who has come in has been really pleased."

All the stock was moved into storage and has now been rearranged on the shop floor into a tidier, and easier to navigate space.

While many businesses have suffered in the wake of the pandemic, Mr Webb says his trade has been helped by people picking up sewing, knitting and crochet through lockdown and celebrities endorsing the hobby.

He added: "After the The Great British Sewing Bee on the TV we noticed a big boost.

"When Kirstie Allsopp does her 'Keep Crafting and Carry On' show, we always know when she has been on and people ask for specific things featured on the show.

"It goes in trends, different types of hobbies become fashionable and at the minute knitting has taken off because of Tom Daley doing it in the Olympics so we have had a lot of young people coming though."

Customer Nikki Weston, who is in the last six months of her costume degree at University of the Arts London, says the centre has been invaluable to her over the years.

The 40-year-old said: "I bought my last two machines from here and Kevin and Jim are just brilliant.

"They are experts in everything and I teach all around here so I send my students here.

"There are no haberdashers like this anywhere any more so this is like a little oasis for me.

"I have been coming here for 10 years so it’s lovely to see it all refreshed."

They also run a sewing club once a month where more than 100 members meet at Aldington village hall on a Sunday.

Directly opposite the unit, bold plans are being considered to build a 92-bed hotel, bar and restaurant.

Developers want to demolish a row of six shops and construct a four-storey building in their place.

While the full details are not yet known, Mr Webb feels the investment is a good idea for Ashford.

He said: "Any full unit is good for the town. There are too many that are empty.

"Parking is always a concern at this end of the town but that would be it.

"We are much looking forward to having units full at this end of the town so there are no issues as far as we are concerned.

"I don't know how much disruption the building work will cause but the town has got to move on."