With few empty shops and big chain stores, KentOnline reporter Louis Walker put forward the case that Tenterden might be the best high street in Kent.

But just 24 miles north, it’ll find stiff competition in West Malling. But are the people of Kent sleeping on this town centre full of hidden gems? Elli Hodgson reports.

These days many will agree a thriving high street is hard to come-by.

For me, I often think of West Malling as one of the places that has managed to resist the derelict downgrade that several of our towns have faced.

But while for some this perception rings true, many local residents and business owners say the area is not immune to certain challenges.

When I paid a visit on a drizzly Thursday in the run-up to Christmas, I knew the weather may play a part in reducing the footfall.

But I am told by business owners that the decrease in customers is a pattern that has existed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite this, the virtually litter-free street is full of great places to eat, drink and shop, and even has a post-office and bank, a luxury which many other high streets mourn the loss of.

Business owner Julia Smith, who runs independent menswear shop Clays, says it’s been “quite challenging” since she opened three years ago.

She said: “West Malling is one of the more thriving high streets, but the footfall is not up, it’s definitely down.

“Sadly, I think high streets like this are an afterthought than a first thought, but I do have customers that are absolutely loyal to the shop but there’s not enough of them.”

Julia also comments on proposals to install parking metres along the high street which she says will “definitely have an adverse effect and reduce the footfall even more”.

As I look out of Julia’s shop onto the street, it’s clear to see that passers-by are limited, despite being peak Christmas shopping season.

“I think more events to bond the community with the high street would improve the situation,” she adds.

“People want the high street to look nice and have variety, but you’ve got to shop here. We can’t just look lovely, you’ve actually got to shop here for us to survive.

“I still believe in the high street, I still believe in retail, it’s the heartbeat and centre of the community and when you haven’t got a high street where do people go?”

This sentiment is echoed by Nick Dackombe who owns the gift shop Down Swan Street and says footfall is the biggest issue at the moment.

He said: “The whole high street has definitely quietened down because of the online presence of big retailers and big discounters.”

To overcome these obstacles, one long-standing business, Rovic Tiles, has added a coffee shop to its tile store.

Despite running since 1997, owner Bill Doe, found the original business wasn’t necessarily suited to the high street and adapted to include the coffee shop this August.

He said: “We’ve joined the hospitality part to make it more viable.

“I think all the pubs and restaurants do well but for pure retail it’s not a lot of good, we wouldn’t open up here again.

“You wouldn’t automatically think tiles and coffee go together, because they don’t, but we have had people come into the coffee shop who didn’t know there was a tile shop and bought tiles.

“It’s probably made the tile shop a little more accessible to people.”

Bill’s daughter, Esme, who manages Romano’s coffee shop inside the tile store, said: “I hope that it gets busier because when we do events like the Christmas market or farmers market it’s such a lovely place to be.”

The 23-year-old thinks hosting other events more frequently would bring more people in.

However, Bill notes that the town has a great selection of pubs and restaurants, adding: “Whatever you want to eat you can get something nice here.”

It’s true, as I wander up the road I can see a great variety of eateries, including Desh, an authentic Indian restaurant, Frank’s Restaurant and Mussel Bar and another independent bar and restaurant, The Swan.

But despite this, a few places are vacant and it’s clear that there is a demand for more diverse shops, with many pointing out the apparent surplus of hairdressers, I counted 10, and estate agents, I counted seven.

And, as business owner Julia said, while people like the appearance of multiple shops to peruse, in reality, if customers aren’t actually shopping, the businesses simply can’t survive.

What’s more, the high street includes big names, including a Tesco superstore and a Costa, but the thing which makes it so endearing is its selection of independent businesses, so it would be a shame to see them go.

Chris Roberts has lived in West Malling for 59 years and says the high street has changed during this time, particularly noting the loss of the doctors and shoe shop.

She said: “I know it’s changed but sometimes it’s not always for the best, we’ve got a lovely chocolate shop, material shop and carpet fitting shop, but I’d like to see more for normal life.

“I still enjoy it here but it’s changing.”

Meanwhile, Charlotte Street has lived and worked on the high street, as a chef in The Hungry Guest for the last four years.

She said: “I think it’s a potentially vibrant and historically significant high street and I think it could be so much more than it currently is right now.

“I think we could use a ton more diversity, small businesses, getting grants from the council and being able to thrive here because anything would thrive here, we do have enough community interest.

“A little more diverse and vibrant, meaning fewer hair salons and more points of interest, maybe some more cultural places, some arty type, crafty small vendors, so I think it’s got loads of potential.”

Overall, it’s clear to me West Malling high street has so much to offer, but I wonder if in recent times it’s become slightly overlooked?

Next time, before placing your online shop, or heading to Bluewater, perhaps consider supporting your independent business owners first.

High street snapshot:

*Number of empty shops: From what I could see there were three vacant buildings, one of which looks like it will be taken over by a different company soon

*Biggest name in the high street: West Malling boasts a Tesco superstore, Costa, as well as a Post Office and Nationwide

*Hidden gems: Head down any nook or cranny off the high street and discover tucked away gems like the Malling Jug

*Amount of litter: I saw vert little rubbish and I was impressed to see two street cleaners meticulously combing the pavements

*Number of chuggers: No chuggers out today - maybe the weather put them off.

*Low point: The former Baldocks ski store in the high street which has been closed for several years is a bit of an eye sore

*High point: It’s an extremely welcoming place to visit with a myriad of independent places to eat, drink and shop