People in Ashford are being urged to support the council's bid to revive the town centre by becoming a Portas Pilot.

Ashford Borough Council is bidding for a share of £1million of funding to rejuvenate the town centre as part of a national scheme backed by retail guru Mary Portas.

The Government will select a dozen towns to become pilots, which will receive direct support and advice from the TV personality Ms Portas.

The council hopes to gather public support for its bid on Facebook and has created a special page called “Ashford Portas Pilot”, which people can 'like’.
Retailers can also share suggestions on the bid and how the money could be spent.

The council’s economic development manager Andrew Osborne said: “We need as many people as possible, but in particular our town centre retailers and businesses to get behind the bid and start sharing ideas, so we can show that Ashford is committed to making the pilot work.

“The bid is being drawn up and will be submitted at the end of March.”

Bidders need to demonstrate how they have the energy, enthusiasm and vision to turn their struggling high streets around.

Each bidding team can ask for up to £100,000 and must outline how they would spend the money. The deadline for bids is March 30.