British Heart Foundation is to leave Ashford for good after plans to demolish its shop to make way for a 92-bed hotel were approved.

The charity has been in the town centre for 30 years but its New Rents store is one of six units which will now have to make way for the development.

The bold hotel plans were approved by Ashford Borough Council last week, including a bar, restaurant and spa.

Angie Vidler, regional manager at British Heart Foundation, said: “We are very sad to find out the plans for our much-loved shop which means it’ll be closing after 30 years of being a part of the community.

"We hope our loyal customers, volunteers and donors continue to support us until the development commences in October.

"We’d like to thank them and the town of Ashford for their tremendous support.

"Every pound raised in our shops helps fund lifesaving research to support those living with heart and circulatory diseases.”

The town centre's former Argos store, KPC Events, Betfred, PDSA and now-empty Game unit will also be flattened to make way for the hotel.

Designed by architect Guy Hollaway – who drew up the plans on behalf of applicant SPPF Ltd – the project will also include 10 flats on the top floor.

The operator of the hotel is not yet known, but it will offer three to four-star accommodation.

Kirah Okewole, owner of KPC Events which only opened in New Rents earlier this year, has already started moving stock into storage.

Her party planning business is currently situated between PDSA and Betfred.

"I'm moving to storage for now and I'm working from home until I can secure a space," she said.

"My rent expired this month anyway so I wasn't going to renew seeing as I knew this was coming.

"I heard about it because I was going to share the space with somebody who wants to run a spa unit and around the time she mentioned she heard about the hotel coming soon and so she did not go ahead with it.

"Since then I have been looking for an alternative; it's too much money to turn that place around and then have to leave.

"I don't think a hotel is a good idea for the town centre but I'm sure the council knows better and has a good plan."

It is not yet clear what PDSA and Betfred plan to do, but Game has already moved inside Sports Direct and HomePlus Furniture – which replaced Argos – has taken the ex-M&S unit.