THE man responsible for getting Ashford's successful designer outlet centre off the ground is to become the town's development manager. Until about nine months ago Mark Bradbury was store development manager for BAA McArthur Glen, the company that now has a string of factory outlets across Britain and Europe. Recently he has been acting as a freelance consultant.

John Jory, Ashford council's development director said this week: "We are delighted to have appointed Mark. He is an excellent choice. He has so many strengths. He will be able to open doors for us because he knows investors." Mr Jory said Mr Bradbury would also be able to play a key part in ensuring the success of the Ashford Town Centre Partnership.

At Swindon, where Mr Bradbury was also responsible for developing a McArthur Glen outlet, he helped established a similar partnership of business and local council leaders to manage that town's centre, he said. Mr Jory acknowledged that the Ashford partnership was in difficulty. The borough council would need to help all it could, he said.