AS ASHFORD continues to develop into the business hub of East Kent figures support the opinion that the town is on schedule for boom times.

When local authority took the bold decision to host Kent's major factory shopping outlet, opinion was divided between those forecasting doom and gloom for the town centre, to those expecting millions to cross the Channel for discounted goods.

Neither has come to fruition but since opening two and a half years ago the McArthurGlen Outlet has established itself in the future of the area.

In advance of the Christmas rush retail operations manager Catherine Delvin reports that trade has never been better with budget breaking figures showing traffic up nine per cent.

She said: "For the first time all 80 units are now operational and we have the mix of tenants right. The encouraging thing is that weekday trade is building rather that the weekend gridlock that we experienced in the early days."

More than four million people, with an average age of 39, have visited the shopping complex during the year and each stays an average of two hours.

Research indicates that 14 per cent travel from outside the county to shop in Ashford and that 93 per cent travel by car for the experience.

From next year it is expected that pay and display parking charges will be introduced, but McArthurGlen is confident it will not stem the flood of customers coming on average once a month.

Marketing manager Melanie Srocznski said: "The council allowed unrestricted parking since the opening to allow a study of trading patterns. We have worked, and will continue to work, with the council to encourage people to use the town centre but have no desire to be a free park and ride service. "