Shoppers have praised the “classy” new feel of their town since being pedestrianised as part of a £20million pound makeover - and many don’t mind the loss of parking either.

Work to transform Dartford and improve the layout and appearance to make it cleaner, safer, and more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly has been ongoing for several years.

The overall regeneration project was originally planned to be delivered in four phases and complete by summer 2021 — but it has been hit by numerous delays and complications along the way.

This led to some residents criticising parts of the works which they said looked like they had been “dug up” and left unattended for months on end.

However, the initial Market Street phase — which included removing the old car park outside Iceland and the bus stands to create Brewery Square, an open, pedestrianised area that can host entertainment and events — has long since been completed.

The new civic space includes new surfacing, improved lighting, wider pedestrian spaces, and the planting of small green spaces known as “pocket parks”.

The main bulk of the work is being funded via two government pots totalling £12 million, with the additional phases being supported by developer contributions and the council’s own coffers.

So what do businesses and shoppers actually think?

When KentOnline paid a visit to Market Street on a rare, sunshiny day many of the shoppers we spoke to were happy with the overhaul - albeit with one or two misgivings about the changes.

Ellie-Mae Castle, from West Kingsdown, said that while the loss of parking outside Iceland was regrettable she loved the new look.

“It’s very classy,” she said. “It adds a really nice bit of scenery to Dartford. I think it’s lovely.”

John Williams, 60, from Dartford also thought it added something to the town.

“It’s a lot better than it was before,” he said. “Having so much seating makes it very sociable.”

And he didn’t consider the reduction in parking places an issue.

“There are plenty of other places to park,” he said. “It makes it look nice.”

Brian Harman, 78, from Swanley was also all for the new look.

“It’s better than it was,” he said. “There are lots of places to sit.”

His wife Gillian, 77, agreed, adding “We never used the car park anyway. It is a nice clean and tidy place to sit.”

But while most people were bowled over by the changes, others were less impressed.

Mark Powell, 51, from Dartford felt that while the area looked nice it was more useful as a car park.

“You used to be able to park all round this area, but with the new housing development and now this paved area more and more spaces are being removed.

“And the prices are just going up and up in the car parks that are here.”

Dartford town centre has seven council-run car parks, nine areas for on-street parking and six privately-run car parks near the centre with Acacia Hall and Mansion House providing 372 places most closest to Market Street and just a short walk away.

Mr Powell said offering parking spaces was an important way to draw more shoppers into the town but admitted that wasn’t the only issue.

“They need the parking to get people to come to Dartford,” he added. “But then once they are here there are only barbers and cafes anyway. We need some decent clothes shops.”

Chanelle Illsley, 30, manager of Mark Mardell hairdressers, which looks out onto the new-look Brewery Square, praised the refurbishment overall, but was less pleased with the state of the new flower beds outside her shop.

“Dogs run into it and do their business and then children play in it and get covered in dog mess,” she said. “I think it would be better to make it artificial grass.”

And one resident, who did want to be named, told KentOnline she thought the space had been wasted and could have been utilised much better.

“There is just a couple of trees and then a big empty space. Why? What is it there for?” she added.

“It takes up so much space and it is just nothing.”

She also hit out at the lack of clear distinction between the pavement and the road on Market Street and the absence of an official crossing.

“People have created an unauthorised one by the library and just stop there to cross and cars do stop when they see people waiting, but there is nothing official.”

However, for some the natural additions to the site were welcome.

Eva Czarneca, 49, from Gravesend eats her lunch on one of the many curved concrete seats.

“A green area is never a waste of space,” she said. “It is somewhere for the bees and insects. It provides variety.”

And she thought the idea should be taken up in more places.

“There’s too much concrete outside Gravesend and Dartford Civic offices. They should do it there too.”

Other improvements have seen One Bell Corner transformed into a celebration of the Dartford-born Rolling Stones, the area around the war memorial upgrade, improved street lighting, and the unused subway at Instone Road removed.

Next month works are set to start on reconstructing the junction of West Hill/Highfield Road and Spital Street.

This will involve traffic signal upgrades and renewing the footways and carriageways, improving pedestrian crossings. A new bus stop is also to be installed.

Dartford council says on its website further timings on additional phases of work, which includes Hythe Street and Spital Street, as well as the Westgate Road/Hythe Road and Prospect Place/Kent Road junctions will be shared once finalised.