£50,000 of funding to boost visitor economy in Ashford

Posted on 2 October 2023

The funding has been secured by Ashford Borough Council and will benefit the borough’s visitor economy and hospitality businesses

Every place in the UK has been allocated a share of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) and Ashford has received £50,000.

Did you know that the Ashford Borough is home to around 400 hospitality businesses and food and drink producers? This also includes vineyards such as Biddenden Vineyards, Chapel Down and Gusbourne, all of which are attracting large numbers of visitors every year.

On the Map: Ashford and Tenterden Visitor Economy Programme is a new project which will support and grow this important sector by working with accommodation providers, visitor attractions and experiences to build an even stronger tourism offering within the borough.

There are three strands to the project which include:

  • A product and experience development programme

  • A new digital wine trail

  • A marketing campaign to promote Ashford and Tenterden being at the heart of the Kent wine destination.

“I am thrilled to see this ambitious project launch which will have benefits for the whole of Ashford borough. Ashford is Open for Business, and supporting our visitor economy and hospitality businesses is a hugely important part of that. “

Cllr Heather Hayward , Portfolio Holder for Performance and Direction at Ashford Borough Council

Visit Kent have already launched the first part of the project, On the Map: Ashford and Tenterden’s Visitor Economy Programme, which is aimed at working with businesses and entrepreneurs on new visitor experience concepts.

Find out more about the project or register your interest on the Visit Kent website