Ashford Designer Outlet in Kent will start its expansion this month after being appointed a £90 million investment with McLaren Construction. The plan will include 50 new brand stores and a food piazza, creating 500 jobs across the centre.
The centre opened in 2000, measuring 185,000 sq. ft. and it is home to the largest tented retail structure. It was designed by the architect Richard Rogers who is famous for the Lloyd’s building in London and The O2 Arena.
The plans for expansion were first announced in 2014 by McArthurGlen and they got approved the following year by the Ashford Borough Council.
Peter Corr, the Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford, confirmed that after four years of planning they will finally start working on the expansion this January.
“Over the next 18 months we will be investing £90m into the centre to elevate the whole shopping experience for our guests, while also working hard to ensure our visitor experience remains memorable and enjoyable during this time. Once the extension is complete Ashford Designer Outlet will become one of the UK’s flagship fashion, food and homeware destinations, with over 130 stores, restaurants and cafes,” said Peter Corr.
The new extension is scheduled to open in autumn 2019 and it will consist of 50 new premium and luxury brands, a bigger food piazza, 725 further parking spaces, new events spaces and a redesigned children’s play area. It will also include the installation of Europe’s largest living wall structure and multiple stores will be dressed in tens of thousands of vertically stacked plants.
This exciting work will commence on Monday, the 8th of January, and the first to undergo the changes will be the food court.
