Three new brands are set to join an ever-growing shopping centre in Kent.

Ashford Designer Outlet will welcome cosmetic company Clarins, menswear chain Hackett London and clothing and footwear store Columbia in the coming weeks.

Deputy centre manager manager, Peter Heritage, says he thinks customers will welcome Clarins back to the town with open arms after its departure in 2020 following the closure of Debenhams.

He said: “Clarins is really going to strengthen our beauty wear proposition.

“It is the number one skincare brand in Europe.

“It really compliments the existing beauty brands we have in the centre already such as The Cosmetics Company and Molton Brown.

“What I find really exciting about Clarins is that they used to trade in the town centre in Debenhams a few years ago.

“Ashford as a town has lost Clarins so for us to be able to bring them back is great.

“I think there is going to be lots of loyal customers out there and they will see it as a really welcome return and it will be very successful as a result.

“We listen to our guests and actively use that to try and encourage brands to open in the centre so the feedback is always welcome.”

Clarins and Hackett will sit just one unit apart in the centre’s extension, being separated by the newly opened Loake Shoemaker.

Clarins – due to open October 14 – is next to L’Occtaine while Hackett – due to launch September 22 – neighbours Ugg.

Columbia will welcome customers inside the former Mountain Warehouse unit. Earlier this year, the brand moved to a bigger unit within the centre.

Mr Heritage says the global outdoor brand, which specialises in apparel and footwear, will complement the other active brands at the outlet.

“We opened The North Face recently so it really strengthens that,” he said.

“Customers love North Face and footfall has been terrific.”

Columbia should be opening in October and Mr Heritage added lots more brands are set to open between now and the end of the year.

In response to this, the centre is holding a careers event on September 28 between 3pm and 7pm with anyone attending being asked to go to Guest Services on the day.