URL: https://ashford.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=293

Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Elwick Place, the town centre’s flagship leisure and entertainment destination faced significant challenges due to wider pressures in the retail and leisure sector, leading to difficulties in letting units. When the anchor tenant Picturehouse withdrew, the Council intervened to keep the cinema operational and maintain the town centre offer. This intervention has improved performance: the cinema has repositioned itself as a community-focused venue, with rising attendance, improved feedback, and increased community use for events and activities. While the Council has always aimed to secure a long-term commercial operator, keeping the cinema open has strengthened its attractiveness to the market. A credible proposal was received from a new operator to take over day-to-day running of the cinema and most of the currently vacant units at Elwick Place. This is projected to significantly improve the financial position. Recommendations I to X of the “Updated Exempt Recommendations to Cabinet” dated 10 July 2025 were approved, with authority delegated to the Section 151 Officer to approve the outcomes of due diligence and agree the transaction terms. This is subject to satisfactory oversight by the Elwick Place Due Diligence Working Group (as consultees), and to obtaining appropriate legal advice in relation to the Council’s best consideration duty, procurement requirements, subsidy control, insider dealing, and related matters.

Content:

Date of Decision: March 31, 2026