Both Dartford and Gravesend are brainstorming ways to regenerate their struggling high streets.

In the wake of Tesco’s continued failure to build a promised store in Lowfield Street, Dartford Council has launched a High Street revival consultation with residents and businesses.

Council leader Jeremy Kite is asking for ideas to go with a 10 point plan to revitalise the town drawn up by the council.

Eight miles down the road, Gravesham Council has commissioned a review of Gravesend’s town centre and a report is set to be completed by February next year.

With Marks and Spencer pulling out of Gravesend at the end of last month, and the £120 million Heritage Quarter redevelopment scheme currently stalled by a High Court challenge, the council is casting around for ways of improving the High Street.

Councillor John Cubitt is the head of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee tasked with writing the report.

He told News Shopper: "We are looking at how we can give a shot in the arm to the town centre.

"We are asking ‘why should people come to Gravesend?’ "It has got an awful lot to offer and a thriving hospitality aspect in terms of pubs and restaurants, but I don’t think we are presenting it as a package at the moment."

Suki Singh, 44, has run Body and Sole fashion retailer in Gravesend High Street for 14 years.

News Shopper:

Lowfield Street in Dartford, where Tesco is supposed to be building a new store.

He said: "On a Saturday they should bring some sort of free parking back in.

"It’s something that has got to be done, it’s not rocket science.

"With Marks and Spencer going the town is not attracting people.

"There are people sitting there in the council getting new input but then just carrying on with what they were going to do."

Speaking about Dartford, council leader Jeremy Kite said: "There are now real signs of optimism and growth returning.

"Moving the Thursday market back into the High Street has been great for local shops for example.

"Traders are reporting more confidence out there and it’s time to seize that and move forward."

But a Labour Party town centre survey found more than half of 386 respondents thought Dartford compared badly to other town centres, and a similar proportion were ashamed of their town.

Group leader Coun Geoff Prout said: "Residents have had enough of the continued decline of our high street and want to see change.

"They do not share Jeremy Kite’s view that the problems facing the town centre are the same as those effecting everywhere else."