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The
town of Ashford offers a good spread of comprehensive shopping
facilities. The town centre has many top brand name stores such as Marks
and Spencer, Littlewoods, Argos and Next as well as a Sainsbury's, Lidl
and a great number of smaller more specialist shops. The town has two
shopping centres, County Square and Park Mall. County
Square, with its glass lifts, air conditioning and glass roofing has won
an award as the best designed building in the borough. In contrast is
Middle Row, whose narrow passages and small shops are a reminder of bygone
Ashford. Good parking is provided in both surface and multi- storey car
parks all close to the shops. Out of town, there are Asda and Tesco stores and the latest addition
to shopping facilities in Ashford is the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet
village which features Gap, Marks & Spencer, Reebok and many more
famous names. Maidstone town centre boasts the largest single shopping area
in rural Kent, the Chequers Centre. It also hosts one of the largest open
air markets in the south east (on Tuesdays). Tourism in Canterbury'
has enhanced its retailing status. The historic city centre is
pedestrianised, and offers a pleasant shopping experience. High street
names are available at the Marlowe Arcade and more specialised shops at
Long Market. Antique lovers will enjoy browsing in Palace Street and
Northgate, and an antiques market is held every Saturday in the Sidney
Cooper Centre. The new Whitefriars Centre will provide more shops, a
library, car parking and a bus station. |
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