The largest building society in the world is to open a branch in Ashford.

Nationwide will open in the unit formerly occupied by Clarks in the County Square shopping centre, close to the High Street entrance.

Although bosses at the town centre shopping mall revealed the plans this week, they say an opening date has yet to be set.

Frances Burt, the County Square centre manager, said: “Nationwide is the world’s largest building society with around 15 million customers and we are delighted to be able to welcome them to one of our prime locations in the County Square shopping centre.

“The fact that this location is ideal for both the High Street and our centre will be of benefit to the people of Ashford and we’re looking forward to seeing the brand new premises.”

The shop, next to Starbucks coffee, has been empty since April 2014 when Clarks closed following the end of its lease.

The store had operated as a shoe shop since 1975, when it was opened under the name John Farmer.

It was taken over by Clarks in 1989, in the same year that the Tufton Centre re-opened as County Square.

Following the announcement that Clarks was closing in 2013, Nationwide applied for permission to take over the space.

Its application was approved by Ashford Borough Council in September 2013.

However, the plans were put on hold until now.

There is an existing Nationwide in the High Street, in Ashford, near Lloyds Bank.