Primark Confirmed for Ashford Town Centre, Says Local Councillor

“I know this will increase footfall on the high street and benefit our local economy,” Sabapathy said.

It’s what a lot of Ashford people have been waiting to hear. A community Facebook group called “Bring Primark to Ashford” had been pushing for the retailer to open in the town for several years, pointing to empty shops and the need for more affordable places to spend what’s left of the weekly budget.

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What We Know — and What We Don’t

Primark runs more than 190 stores across the UK. Kent is already well served — Canterbury, Maidstone, Chatham, and Bluewater all have one — but Ashford has never appeared on the retailer’s official store locator. That gap is apparently now closing.

According to public statements from AshfordFOR and County Square — who have confirmed the location on social media — the store is expected to occupy the former Debenhams and Select units at County Square, with an approximate floorspace of 29,000 sq. ft. and an expected opening in the second half of 2027. No planning application reference number could be found through publicly accessible council planning portals, and no lease details have been independently verified. Kent Local News contacted both Ashford Borough Council and Primark for comment; neither had responded by the time of publication.

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The High Street Picture

Ashford town centre has had a rough few years on the retail front. Vacancy rates have been running above pre-pandemic levels — the familiar story across much of England, driven by the shift to online shopping and a string of chain collapses and restructurings. Ashford Borough Council’s own strategic documents name the attraction of national retailers as part of its plan to breathe life back into the town centre and chip away at the empty unit problem.

Retailers like Primark tend to be what councils call anchor tenants. The logic is simple enough: a big name draws people in, and those people spend money in the cafés, independents, and service businesses nearby. Worth noting, too, that retail and wholesale accounts for around 14 to 15 per cent of employee jobs across Kent, according to Office for National Statistics data — so what happens to the high street isn’t just a shopping question.

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Broader Context

Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods, has been clear that it intends to keep growing the store estate in the UK and internationally. Unlike most of its rivals, Primark doesn’t do e-commerce — its whole model depends on getting people through the door. Ashford would fit neatly into that pattern.

Not everyone will be popping the champagne. Environmental and labour rights campaigners have raised concerns about sustainability, textile waste, and supply chain conditions at low-cost fashion retailers. And some high street advocates warn that large chains can, over time, squeeze out the variety that makes a town centre worth visiting — though the counter-argument, that anchor tenants are the only thing keeping struggling high streets alive at all, is equally well-rehearsed.

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Questions Still to Answer

Worth being clear about what we actually have here. AshfordFOR and County Square have publicly confirmed the store will be located in the former Debenhams and Select units at County Square, covering approximately 29,000 sq. ft., with an expected opening in the second half of 2027. However, Primark itself has not issued an official statement, and Ashford Borough Council had not responded to Kent Local News by the time of publication. No jobs numbers have been confirmed, and there is no clarity on whether a planning application has been submitted or is even required.

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Key Takeaways

• Ashford Borough councillor Sojanah Sabapathy has announced via social media that a new Primark store is confirmed for Ashford town centre, stating she worked with Primark’s team to help secure the opening
• Ashford does not currently appear on Primark’s official UK store locator; the retailer operates existing Kent stores in Canterbury, Maidstone, Chatham, and Bluewater
• AshfordFOR and County Square have publicly confirmed the store is expected to occupy the former Debenhams and Select units at County Square (approximately 29,000 sq. ft.), with an anticipated opening in the second half of 2027; Primark itself and Ashford Borough Council had not separately responded to Kent Local News by the time of publication

What This Means for Kent Residents

For Ashford shoppers — particularly those watching every penny — a local Primark would mean no more treks to Canterbury, Maidstone, Chatham, or Bluewater for affordable clothing and homeware. That’s real money saved on travel at a time when household budgets are already being stretched. Independent businesses nearby could also see a lift if a major name draws bigger crowds to the town centre. AshfordFOR and County Square have publicly confirmed the location as the former Debenhams and Select units at County Square, with an approximate floorspace of 29,000 sq. ft. and an expected opening in the second half of 2027 — though residents should note that Primark itself and Ashford Borough Council had not separately confirmed these details to Kent Local News by publication time, and should keep an eye on further announcements for confirmed information on jobs and any planning matters.