Subway set to move to Ashford high street from Bank Street
10:13, 06 September 2020
updated: 10:16, 06 September 2020
A top sandwich chain wants to move into a high street unit less than 200 metres from its current site.
Ashford's Subway branch currently sits halfway down Bank Street, but will move into 104 high street if plans are approved.
The company is seeking to raise the listed building's ground floor ceiling, necessitating a planning application which has been lodged with Ashford Borough Council.
Headroom in the former EE phone shop will be increased by a metre in the public front area if approved.
No external alterations are proposed in the application's heritage, design and access statement.
It reads: "The current proposals merely seek to increase the internal headroom height at ground floor level to facilitate the use of the current vacant property by Subway.
"There would therefore be minimal impact on the building's status as a heritage asset, instead bringing the property back into an optimum viable use compatible with its listing.
"The proposal is therefore considered to positively respect the setting of the wider conservation area and the character of the town centre."
It is not explicitly stated the new store would replace its Bank Street branch, however their close proximity - 194 metres - suggests the existing, smaller unit will be vacated.
Subway also has a unit on the Eureka Leisure Park next to Ashford's Cineworld.
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