A town centre has taken a double hit following the closure of two cafes – but other eateries have now moved in.
Both By The Tank and Craving House in Ashford have closed for good, with bosses blaming a drop in footfall among the reasons for the departures.
By The Tank Cafe has closed after 23 years in Ashford’s St George’s Square, off New Street
By The Tank was a long-running staple in the town centre, having been opened by Ayten Yilmaz in 2003 next to the former Park Mall shopping centre in New Street.
Work to demolish the council-owned Park Mall and neighbouring car parks started earlier this year, with all traders told to move out by January. An interim car park is initially planned for the site, followed by a proposed residential-led, mixed-use development in the future.
But over the last few months, Ms Yilmaz has struggled with fewer customers and the dust and disturbance of the demolition project.
She says weekly takings fell from £4,500 before Park Mall closed to £2,800 – a drop of almost 40%.
Speaking just hours after serving diners for the final time on Sunday, she told KentOnline: “Wilko and M&S [leaving the town] was hard, but Park Mall has destroyed us.
Ayten Yilmaz has shut By The Tank Cafe after 23 years of trading in Ashford town centre
“We can’t be successful with all the access that’s been lost and feeling like we’re living through an earthquake with all the vibrations.
“So it’s been very sad and my customers have even shared my grief by crying too.
“But I’m proud of the cafe and how much we’ve become part of the community.”
Bosses at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) say the authority offered promotional support including banners, vinyl signage, and flyers highlighting businesses remain open in New Street.
Miss Yilmaz will now hand the keys over to surveyors, Stafford Perkins, by the end of the month, who are expected to market the property for rent at £20,000 per year.
Craving House has shut after less than a year of trading in Ashford town centre
ABC councillor Bill Barrett described the closure as a big loss, adding: “Many people will miss Ayten, who has trained many staff and helped feed homeless and displaced people across the years.
“She will be long remembered.”
By The Tank’s closure came just a fortnight after fellow cafe, Craving House, also shut.
Kent’s first Italian-Peruvian restaurant was opened by Diego Herrada in Middle Row, just off the high street, in autumn last year, filling the unit formerly occupied by Espresso Lounge.
However, Peru-born Mr Herrada says the restaurant has been blighted by anti-social behaviour.
Diego Herrada was behind the now-closed Craving House in Ashford’s Middle Row
“It’s very stressful keeping the doors open late because there’s young boys shouting and running around the high street,” he explained.
“Talking with the customers, 80% of them have told me they think it’s too risky to come here in the evening.
“We’ve asked for help, but nobody has done anything.
“Footfall in June and July was awful. I’d say sales dropped 65% compared to when we opened last year.”
A spokesperson for ABC said the council is working to support businesses.
They said: “We are sorry both have decided to close and would like to thank the owners for their contribution to Ashford town centre.
How the former Park Mall shopping centre site currently looks. Demolition works are still underway
“In the case of By The Tank Cafe, the council worked closely with the business throughout the Park Mall demolition works, providing promotional support, signage, engagement, and practical assistance to help maintain visibility and access during a challenging period.
“We also recognise concerns about anti-social behaviour and work closely with police and partner organisations to tackle these issues through enforcement, Public Spaces Protection Orders, and youth engagement initiatives.
“Police data for Victoria ward, which includes the town centre, shows recorded anti-social behaviour incidents reduced by 13.5% between March 2025 and February 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year.
“Between January 1 and August 24, recorded footfall data near the bandstand shows more than 2.3 million visits to the town centre, which is 2% higher than the same period last year.”
There are however some newcomers on the block.
Pret A Manger has opened at Ashford’s BP garage along Beaver Road
Burger takeaway restaurant, Smash & Shake, is now open in Station Road in the former Papa John’s unit.
Meanwhile, coffee chain, Pret a Manager, has launched its newest branch at the BP petrol station along Beaver Road.
Its opening was unveiled by Mayor of Ashford, Winston Michael, on August 13.
Elsewhere, bosses of coffee franchise, Jamaica Blue, have announced they are to join County Square shopping centre.
Smash & Shake opened along Ashford’s Station Road
Founded more than 30 years ago in Australia, the company, which also sells sandwiches and handmade cakes, takes its name from the world-renowned Jamaica Blue Mountains.
It will invest £300,000 into the cafe and create 15 jobs when it opens on September 17, becoming Kent’s fourth store alongside others in Gillingham, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Wells.