An upmarket food shop and restaurant has scaled back its town centre operation.

Macknade Fine Foods has dramatically reduced the size of its outlet in the Elwick Place development in Ashford, which opened shortly before lockdown in 2020.

The firm, which also has a store in Faversham, says it is now going to concentrate on a smaller food range and its restaurant.

No jobs will be lost as a result of the changes.

Shane Godwin, Macknade's managing director, said: "We have taken the opportunity to return our Ashford space to its original set-up and layout, allowing us to concentrate on our core deli and dining offer once again.

"Our focus is on creating a fantastic cafe and restaurant experience which showcases the best quality produce, as well as a clearly defined traditional delicatessen offering cheese, charcuterie, wine and a curated range of groceries that highlight our Kentish and Italian heritage.

"This is a proactive approach, where we are reviewing our models to create the very best experience for our local Ashford community."

It comes as the business decided to put "on pause" its plans to open a new 120-seat restaurant and food shop on Folkestone's Harbour Arm.

Earlier this year it was announced the firm would be launching in the Harbourside development.

Announcing the decision to halt the expansion, Mr Godwin said: "Given the difficult economic climate we are trading in, we feel that it is prudent to ensure the stability of our core businesses in Faversham and Ashford this year and we will re-look at any available spaces on the Harbour Arm in 2023."

Ashford Borough Council, which is the landlord at Elwick Place, declined to comment on the future of the unit which has been vacated by Macknade.

The site was previously home to the Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre.