Travel agency Virgin Holidays is opening a new branch inside Canterbury's Next store.

The new concession will feature a children's play area and a bar, where shoppers can enjoy a glass of wine while browsing getaways.

The new branch is set to open on December 13, and will employ five members of staff.

The collaboration between the travel agency and retail chain began two years ago.

A Virgin Holidays spokesman said: "The partnership was the first UK tie-up of its kind between a retailer and a fashion brand and supports a strategy of Virgin Holidays to reach a core family demographic, alongside a desire from Next to increase dwell-time in its stores.

"The Next stores include innovative design features such as a green living wall, comfortable seating - perfect for relaxing - a bar, allowing customers to sip a glass of fizz as they peruse their holiday options, along with a dedicated kids' area, to keep younger travellers entertained."

Two sites in Whitefriars shopping complex remain vacant - the former Kent Reliance Building Society unit in Rose Lane, and the former Beaverbrooks jewellers premises.

Whitefriars manager Peter Scutt said: "We are in discussions with new retailers for both of those units, but no contracts have been signed at this time so it’s unlikely we will see any new openings before the New Year."

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