The owner of Ashford's oldest independent shop says he is not going anywhere despite plans for a 92-bed hotel opposite his store.

Jim Symes, the man behind Ashford Sewing Centre, says since bold plans for a hotel in New Rents were approved, he has been inundated with questions about the store's future.

Developers are to knock down a row of six shops to make way for the hotel, which will include a bar, restaurant and spa.

Betfred, PDSA, British Heart Foundation and the former Argos, KPC Events and Game stores will be flattened to make way for the four-storey project.

But Mr Symes's shop is not included, and will remain where it is overlooking the development.

"A lot of people are asking if this is the building where they are putting the hotel but it's not, it's opposite," he said.

"We have just spent more than £40,000 to get this up to a 2022 standard and we are staying here as shops like this are very few and far between now.

"We are not being knocked down and taken over.

"We have been here more than 40 years; we are the foundations and we are staying."

The hotel plans were approved by Ashford Borough Council's planning committee last month, with 11 votes in favour and two against.

Designed by architect Guy Hollaway – who drew up the scheme on behalf of applicant SPPF Ltd – the project will also include 10 flats on the top floor.

The operator of the hotel is not yet known, but it will offer three to four-star accommodation.

When asked what he thinks of the hotel, Mr Symes said: "The town centre is not like it was.

"We really need more small businesses to come in but with how it is now, that's progress I'm afraid."

Ashford Sewing Centre was started by Mr 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.

It became Ashford's longest-running independent store in February when shoe shop C.G. Earl and Son in Hythe Road shut after 110 years.

Earlier this year, Mr Symes closed his store for three weeks while the interior was refreshed as part of a redesign.

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

Earlier this month, KPC Events became the first store to leave New Rents following the hotel's approval.

The decor studio moved into the unit in February but has now closed its doors with the owner opting to run the business from home and from a storage unit in Bethersden.

Meanwhile, the British Heart Foundation will leave Ashford after 30 years when it closes to make way for the hotel.

Its last day will be Thursday, October 6, with work on the hotel expected to begin in the autumn.

PDSA has confirmed it plans to stay in Ashford - although details of where it might move to are yet to be confirmed.

Game has already moved into a new unit inside Sports Direct, but it is not yet clear what betting shop Betfred plans to do.

The former Argos unit is empty since its most recent tenant HomePlus Furniture moved into the former M&S store in County Square.

Earlier this month Hospices of Hope next door to the sewing centre closed for good.