Ashford's new Town Team manager says she is looking forward to making real changes to the way the town centre operates.

Jo Wynn-Carter took up the newly created role back in April, having previously worked in a retail background.

She said: “I’ve been spending the last six weeks talking to as many businesses as I can. There’s obviously mixed feelings, but everybody wants Ashford to be successful, and a vibrant place to live and work.

“I think what makes Ashford unique is the heritage and character of the place, and I think if we can build on what we have, we can get people to think about opening their businesses in Ashford.”

Ashford was awarded Portas Pilot Status in July 2012, winning £100,000 of government funding and support from national High Street experts.
All winning towns were tasked with setting up a Town Team to devise and deliver projects to boost the town centre economy, and ABC chose to commit further funding to recruit a full-time town team manager to support the process.

Mrs Wynn-Carter has lived in Benenden, near Tenterden, for the past three years, having previously lived in London.

For a full interview with Ms Wynn-Carter, see next week’s Kentish Express