The post you are reporting:
Regarding population, here is the latest figures from KCC's handy publication 2016 Mid Year population estimates Ward level population in Kent
Total population of Ashford District is 126,600 (DDC 114,200)
Population of Ashford Urban areas 79,830 v DDC 74.930 (of which Dover Town is approx 33,000 - excludes River, Whitfield & Lydden/Temple Ewell & Deal is approx 31,000 )
As Bob says anywhere out of London that is 1 hour (ish) from a major London terminus is in competition with Dover.
The Guardian article Bob linked to is what many people including myself have been saying for some considerable time - the "high street paradigm" has changed; it needs to become a social meeting and event destination rather than a shopping destination. We need to be thinking of making it pedestrian friendly, encourage events to be put on, encourage the change of use of upper floors to residential, encourage smaller units that can be used for cafes, restaurants, micro-pubs, pop up shops etc.
