A clothes and coffee shop has found a new home almost directly opposite its old store.

The Beehive opened in The Collection building in Ashford's North Street in October 2017 following two successful pop-up trials.

Despite being a “second-hand clothes boutique and cafe”, its main aim is to support the town’s women in getting jobs or living with dignity.

The Beehive - which will now fill the former Save the Children branch on the corner of Park Street - holds classes on CV writing and body positivity.

But when plans were submitted to turn part of its former base into flats - which would severely reduce the shop’s space - the team began searching for a new home.

Projects manager Becca Green says she is delighted to have now found a replacement site.

“We had looked at a few other places in Ashford before lockdown like Park Mall and Bank Street, but we saw this shop and thought it was ideal,” she said.

“The shop floorspace is the same as before, and the way we’re going to lay it out means we’ll have more cafe seating space than we had.

“Upstairs we have room for office space for the first time, plus we’ll have a dedicated worship space.”

Work continues on the move-in, with the team hoping to open as soon as the lockdown ends.

The 33-year-old added: “We obviously don’t know what the restrictions will be, but if we go back to Tier 4 we’d be able to see clients and help women again.

“We’re so excited for this place to open - it’s like a new stage of the business where we’re ready to grow."

“As much as we loved our old space, it always felt tentative because of the flats plan.

“We’re just so eager to get back to what we love doing - helping people.”

The last step in moving in is a planning application, registered on January 8, seeking to erect signs on the new North Street shop.

A decision by Ashford Borough Council is expected to be reached by March 5.

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