Ashford Approach praised in a national magazine

Posted on 19 October 2018

Following a recent Guardian article praising Ashford’s approach to reviving the high street, another national publication has picked up on the council’s innovative stance.

In a piece on entrepreneurial councils, The Economist used Ashford as its lead example of local government taking on a business-like approach to managing their finances. The journalist highlighted Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council’s decision to adopt a corporate property management strategy.

“By next year Ashford Borough Council, in prosperous Kent, will have lost all its central-government funding. […] To maintain services, Mr Clarkson is gradually turning his local authority into a business.”

“The Council has been buying shopping centres, developing office blocks and even building a cinema complex, Elwick Place. Mr Clarkson hopes that these investments will provide the rents and business rates to offset the impact of cuts in government funding.”

This move has already had a positive impact, with the Council expecting to be self-sufficient by the end of the 2018-2019 financial year, giving the example of International House which brings in £550,000 a year to the Council in rents and business rates.

“The Council has been buying shopping centres, developing office blocks and even building a cinema complex, Elwick Place. Mr Clarkson hopes that these investments will provide the rents and business rates to offset the impact of cuts in government funding.”

The Economist

This bold move has also inspired other local councils, which are now following in Ashford’s footsteps.

To read the full article, visit The Economist.