Two trees in the middle of a shopping centre are set to be chopped down for health and safety reasons.

The silver birch trees in Park Mall in Ashford are currently outside Poundstretcher and The Little Teapot cafe.

For the past two weeks, they have been fenced off with Ashford Borough Council (ABC) now confirming they will be felled on Monday.

In a letter to tenants, the authority said: “I am writing to make you aware due to health and safety we are removing the two Silver Birch trees at Park Mall.

“The trees will be removed on Monday, October 30, and the remedial works will be carried out and will likely last for a week, depending on what is uncovered.

“There will be noisy works, especially on Monday when the tree felling will occur and a small area surrounding the trees will be off limits for the works to take place.”

Bosses at The Little Teapot say the tearoom is still open as usual.

“Please do not be put off by the barricades around our outside seating area,” they said.

“We are still open and still have tables and chairs outside. The area has been cordoned off for safety purposes and will have repairs done over the next few weeks.”

Wilko left the biggest unit in the shopping centre last month when the business fell into administration.

The unit is now empty for the first time in more than 20 years.

Emporia Fabric and Craft left the centre the same day as Wilko, with bosses saying a decline in footfall made it “beyond difficult” for small businesses.

The specialist sewing shop had been in Ashford town centre for 10 years but now bosses are focusing on the online aspect of the business.

Not long after, food store Bare Bazaar also shut.

However, two units that were previously sat empty have recently been filled.

Cosmetic store All Brands moved in earlier this month taking over the shop formerly used by a hair extension specialist opposite the now-empty Wilko.

Little Land, a children’s role play centre, has filled the long-empty unit which was previously Adams and a Christmas pop-up.

Bosses hope the venture will give children the chance to imagine new adventures and play at being grown-ups.

ABC, which owns the centre, said earlier this year how Wilko’s collapse could fast-track its plans to convert Park Mall into residential.

Although they are currently unable to offer any details or timescales, chiefs say the centre "remains part of our longer-term plans for the town centre redevelopment", but "will remain a shopping and retail destination for the near future".

The centre’s car park remains closed after stalactites left slippery patches on the ground and damaged cars.