Ashford Borough Council has given planning permission for a £55 million scheme for a new visitor centre and brewery.
The leisure development will be built on a brownfield site just outside Kent’s town centre and aims to attract more visitors to the town each year.
New developments will include a visitor centre with a shop, restaurant and bar, and a new Chapel Down brewery which aims to increase the sales of its popular Curious Brew.
Chapel Down produces beers and ciders and supplies across the whole of Britain. It also produces a wide range of wines from fruits that are all sourced from their own and their partnering vineyards, across the south east of England.
Tours of the new brewery will also be available. The development planners hope that this will bring more interest to Kent’s leisure and tourist scene.
Frazer Thompson, chief executive of Chapel Down, said: “We are delighted to be playing a part in creating a more exciting Ashford.
“By building an iconic new brewery in the heart of the town, we hope it will not only create jobs and wealth in Ashford but be a source of pride and inspiration for the town.”
Gerry Clarkson, leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “This state-of-the-art brewery and visitor attraction on the corner of Victoria Way will transform this part of the town centre and will become a real draw.
“With all these exciting developments coming forward, I’ve no doubt that Ashford’s dynamic growth is set to continue apace.” Clarkson added.
For more information visit www.ashfordfor.com.
