Four empty retail units are to be regenerated and brought back into productive use.

The Arch Company has announced it will invest £220,000 to restore the spaces close to Tonbridge Railway Station, and hopes new businesses will be able to move in later this year.

The Railway Approach sites have been vacant since 2017 and are currently in poor condition.

The improvements include stripping out and relining the spaces, repairing the roofs and restoring utilities, and it hoped that, once occupied, the units might generate up to 20 new jobs.

The investment is part of The Arch Company’s £200m development plan – Project 1000 – to bring 1,0000 empty or derelict spaces into use across England and Wales by 2030.

Work has begun this month, with completion expected at the end of summer.

The Arch Company leasing manager Henry Cox said: "We took on responsibility for their management in early 2019 and found them to be in a dilapidated state and in need of considerable investment.

"Given their excellent location, we hope they will make great spaces for businesses once the works are completed.”

Cllr Vivian Branson, Tonbridge and Malling council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "First impressions count and these retail units are one of the first things people see when arriving by train.

"It’s great news that they are going to be fully refurbished and provide an attractive welcome to our wonderful town."

Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat said: "These units have been in need of modernising for many years.

"I am delighted that The Arch Company is bringing forward a refurbishment scheme and I'm looking forward to working with them and all future occupiers.”

Cllr Mark Hood (Green), who represents Judd ward, said: "There is huge potential here for existing and start-up businesses and the footfall could not be greater.

"I cannot wait to see which businesses fill the vacant units and bring the whole area back to life.

"Tonbridge is a vibrant town and empty properties are few and far between and residents have been asking us when the units will be available for lease so this is great news for everyone.”

Businesses wishing to register an interest in one of the units can apply to The Arch Company website here.

The firm became responsible for these spaces in 2019 after purchasing 5,200 spaces from Network Rail.

At the point of sale, 1,400 spaces were vacant and requiring significant investment before occupation.

The company is jointly owned by Blackstone and Telereal Trillium.