McLaren Construction has been appointed to deliver a £90 million retail centre expansion project in Ashford, Kent.

The contractor will build a 100,000 sq ft extension to the Ashford Designer Outlet and work is scheduled to begin later this month.

Features include 50 new additional brands, a new food piazza, an events space and a redesigned children's play area, as well as 725 new parking spaces. In addition, Europe's largest living wall structure will be installed, with many of the stores being clad in tens of thousands of vertically stacked plants.

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Claude Hargreave, Director of Development at owner McArthurGlen, said: "After four years of meticulous planning we're incredibly excited to confirm that building works on the extension will commence this January. Over the next 18 months we will be investing £90 million into the centre to elevate the whole shopping experience for our guests and the retail environment for our brand partners. 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."

Ashford Borough Council Leader, Gerry Clarkson, said: "We are pleased to hear McArthurGlen announce its building contractor and confirm that building works will commence shortly. The expansion of the Designer Outlet will transform it into one of the UK's premier outlet centres, enhancing the shopping experience and providing a complementary offer to our town centre."

The expansion, which will create 500 new jobs across the centre, is scheduled to open in Autumn 2019.

(LM/MH)