Steer Your Business Dec 2020 - Magazine - Page 14
NEWS
Business
NEWS
By Warren Dunham
New Ashford Deli & Dining Space Set to Grow
at Elwick Place
A recent addition to shake-up Ashford’s dining and
shopping scene, Macknade Elwick Place in Ashford Kent
has enjoyed huge success. Macknade opened the Elwick
Place in February and recently announced exciting plans for
expansion at the site.
Already a large, welcoming space for shoppers and
diners in Ashford, the extension into additional units of the
Elwick Place leisure complex will see it almost double in size
to accommodate more groceries, an expanding range of
wines and additional space for diners.
Work is due to start imminently while the current site
remains open, and estimated completion will be within the
next six months.
As the sixth generation to run Macknade, Managing
Director Stefano Cuomo has grown the business from
a local farm shop in Faversham to the leading lifestyle
brand it is today, creating an emotive bricks & mortar retail
experience that resonates with the wider community, which
also translates online.
In late 2019, Shane Godwin joined Macknade as
Commercial Director, opening the new site at Elwick Place
in February. Shane, who was previously the Director of
Commercial Operations at East Kent College, is an important
addition to the team, responsible for delivering Macknade’s
strategic goals and driving the business into new spaces in
the coming months & years.
Shutting only temporarily at the height of the Covid
pandemic, Macknade Elwick Place has gone from strength
to strength and is now a vibrant foodie hub in the centre of
Ashford and an essential part of the local community.
Since reopening the dining area after the first lockdown,
Macknade has seen a huge appetite for customers looking
to eat out. Shane comments, “The expansion will see our
floor space increase from 5000 sq ft to 8500 sq ft, which will
enable us to offer much more in terms of dining. We already
have a safe, open plan seating area for diners to comfortably
enjoy a bite to eat with plenty of space between tables and
this development will allow us to offer more seating, while
still keeping it open, airy and Covid-safe.”
Shane went on to say “Following the success of our Free
Corkage evenings, we will be expanding our wine selection
to become Ashford’s number one destination for premium
wines. There will also be a bigger delicatessen, offering an
14 STEER YOUR BUSINESS
abundance of charcuterie and cheeses; plus, more loose
goods to encourage shoppers to reduce their plastic
consumption and change shopping habits for the better.”
“Here at Macknade, we measure our success by our
ability to create environmental & social harmony within the
local community. Our aim is that this new expansion will
facilitate more job opportunities for the Ashford area, as
well as continuing to be enjoyed by shoppers and diners as
a safe space that welcomes everyone from all walks of life.
The opportunities here in Ashford are huge and we are a
key partner in supporting the growth of hospitality & leisure
in the town, particularly in the evenings.” Says Shane.
