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8.
August
2018.
Metro Bank to open in Ashford, Kent's number one business town

Metro Bank to open in Ashford, Kent's number one business town

Media release

08 August 2018

Metro Bank has officially confirmed it is to open a store in Ashford, further boosting the town'scredentials as the best business location in Kent.

Up to 25 jobs will be created when Metro Bank moves into the High Street, in a prominent location at the entrance to County Square shopping centre. The challenger bank has ambitious plans to expand its branch network to 100 by 2020 - it currently has 57in London and the South East.

Metro Bank arrives as Ashford's town centre continues to thrive, with more than half a billion pounds worth of investment in new retail, leisure, residential and commercial property schemes as businesses and investors show their faith in the town's future prospects.

Iain Kirkpatrick, Managing Director - Retail Banking at Metro Bank, said:"Last year, we brought the banking revolution to Canterbury and after such a warm welcome from the residents of Kent, from the local community, we're expanding in the county and opening another seven-day-a-week, customer-focused store in Ashford. 

"We picked Ashford for its vibrant community, exciting future developments, commercial culture and efforts to create a civic heartbeat. We believe Metro Bank will fit right in, with our friendly and convenient banking. Our stores provide tangible benefits to local businesses and residents, whether that's through our free-to-use coin counting machines, instant account opening with cards printed on-the-spot, or hosting business networking and community events."

Metro Bank has signed a deal to move into a 3,990 sq ft unit in County Square formerly occupied by Clinton Cards; in addition, it has acquired an adjoining 1,190 sq ft unit used by jewellers Warren James, which is moving elsewhere in County Square. Metro Bank will combine the two units.

Metro Bank was the first high street bank to open in the UK in more than 100 years when it launched in 2010 and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2016. It already has stores in three Kent towns and its expansion plans are in marked contrast to the current programme of branch closures pursued by its bigger High Street rivals.

Responding to the official announcement, Cllr Graham Galpin, Ashford Borough Council's portfolio holder for the town centre and business, said:"We are delighted that such a dynamic, innovative and highly-regarded financial services company has recognised the many benefits of including Ashford in its expansion plans.

"Ashford has been identified by investment agency Locate in Kent as the best place to do business in the county and I'm sure Metro Bank will be a hugely welcome addition to our thriving local economy."

County Square manager Frances Burt said: "To attract a high street brand of the calibre of Metro Bank is very pleasing for us. County Square has just celebrated its 10thanniversary and last year our visitor figures broke through the six million mark for the first time. I'm thrilled that companies like Metro Bank have the confidence to include Ashford in their expansion plans."   

Ashford's growth is underpinned by the town's unrivalled connectivity. It has excellent rail, road, air and sea links providing businesses with easy access to 360 million consumers across Europe. These include the high-speed domestic rail service which links Ashford with London St Pancras in just 38 minutes, while Paris is less than two hours by Eurostar.

For more information about Metro Bank visitwww.metrobankonline.co.uk

For more information about economic development in Ashford visitwww.ashfordfor.com

ENDS

Notes for editors:
 
High res image available on request 

High Street Minister Jake Berry MP visited Ashford's town centre recently and praised Ashford's innovative approach to boosting the high street and said other towns could learn a lot from its commitment to achieving success through strong partnerships. Mr Berry was in Ashford to find out how the town - led by Ashford Borough Council - has revitalised its town centre, increased footfall and is investing in new leisure and retail facilities. After meeting retailers and shop owners during his 90 minute tour, he said: "I have learnt a lot today. It's great to have seen a town centre that is thriving and is enjoying an increase in the number of people visiting."

About Metro Bank

Metro Bank is the revolution in British banking. It is celebrated for its exceptional customer experience and was awarded ‘Best All Round Personal Finance Provider' at the Moneynet Personal Finance Awards 2018, as well as ‘Most Trusted Financial Provider' at the Moneywise Customer Service Awards in 2016 and 2017 and ‘Best Financial Provider' at the Evening Standard Business Awards 2017. It is also recognised by Glassdoor in its ‘Best Place to Work UK 2018' top 50 list.

Offering retail, business, commercial and private banking services, it prides itself on using technology to give customers the choice to bank however, whenever and wherever they choose. Whether that's through its growing network of stores open seven days a week, from early in the morning to late at night, 362 days a year; on the phone through its UK-based 24/7 contact centres manned by people not machines; or online through its internet banking or award-winning mobile app: the bank offers customers real choice.

The bank employs over 3,000 colleagues and is headquartered in Holborn, London. 

Metro Bank PLC. Registered in England and Wales. Company number: 6419578. Registered office: One Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5HA. ‘Metrobank' is the registered trade mark of Metro Bank PLC.

It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Most relevant deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. For further information about the Scheme refer to the FSCS websitewww.fscs.org.uk.

All Metro Bank products are subject to status and approval.

Metro Bank PLC is an independent UK bank - it is not affiliated with any other bank or organisation (including the METRO newspaper or its publishers) anywhere in the world. Please refer to Metro Bank using the full name.

For more information contact:

Darren Laws
Public relations
Issued on behalf of Ashford Borough Council
 
01634 671167
Darren.laws@zesttheagency.com