New owners of an out-of-town shopping centre have finally been revealed and are promising “to get this right” as they create plans for its future.

Mystery has surrounded the buyers of New Ash Green Shopping Centre in Ash Road, near Longfield since it first went up for auction in February.

The garden village complex features building structures dating back to the 1960s and is in need of rejuvenation having not been invested in for some time.

Now after being sold at auction, the new owner has been revealed as LTP (New Ash) Ltd and the property management company is KMP Solutions.

A spokesman for KMP Solutions said they are looking forward to working with the New Ash Green community on the future of the site.

They told KentOnline: “We are aware that the shopping centre has been left undermanaged for years (perhaps decades) and we are aware that in many aspects it is the heart of the community.

“Therefore it is very important to us that it is dealt with with caution and respect.”

He added that the company is “proud” to be the new managing agent and is already making plans, both for the short and long term.

“There are some much-needed enhancements which we intend to action in the near future,” he said. “We also have some preliminary plans for longer-term goals and hope to spend the next couple of months formulating those.”

Cllr Laura Manston, who founded the New Ash Green Shopping Centre Preservation Group ahead of the sale – where the complex was listed with a guide price of offers above £3m – suggested the forum as a way of ensuring residents could have their voices heard.

Despite initial fears the site could be demolished and replaced with housing, Cllr Manston is now looking forward to working with the new owners to create a vision for the area that will benefit everyone and is positive about the future.

“We are delighted to hear that the sale of the shopping centre has now completed and we're hopeful that there will be some positive change for our village centre in the near future,” she said.

“We hope to establish a regular line of communication with all stakeholders and the new management company seems very open to that which gives us real cause for optimism.”

She added: “We're not expecting any major development any time soon but a few health and safety improvements and a little general maintenance would go a long way.

“Let's hope this is the beginning of a new era for our village centre and the long-awaited cherry on the cake that our village needs.”

The residents came together back in March to create a vision for their newly sold shopping precinct, including a children's skate park, a better choice of unique shops and a variety of food outlets.

The suggestions came as more than 200 people crammed into the village hall to voice their concerns and aspirations for the future of the centre after it was sold in February.

Ideas put forward by the residents include facilities to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as a skate park, an outdoor gym or an entertainment centre.

As well as suggestions of ways to combat loneliness, including community seating or a small children's play area for youngsters to gather and parents to meet.

There were also appeals for more independent shops and the possible introduction of market stalls.