One of the county’s largest department stores has reopened after months of refurbishment.

House of Fraser in Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, has been shut since the end of March for the revamp, which has given it a new look and new outlets.

The department store, which has been rebranded as Frasers, opened today (Thursday, October 17) along with a separate Flannels store in the unit.

In August, planning documents revealed new designs for the anchor store, which has welcomed retailers USC and Game, formerly located in Week Street.

Sports Direct has also moved from The Mall into the upper floor of the shop.

The lower level features luxury men’s, women’s, and kidswear including brands Ralph Lauren, Barbour, Boss and UGG.

Like the previous store, it has an accessories hall sporting Marc Jacobs, Coach, and Tory Burch a homeware section, and beauty counters selling high-end skincare, make-up and perfumes.

Products from Estée Lauder, Clarins, Clinique and Dior will be on display.

Head of luxury and premium at Frasers Group Lauren Barrie said: “We’re proud to be opening the doors to our latest Frasers concept store in Maidstone.

"We’re continuing to reinvent retail as we offer regional communities access to some of the best premium brands on the market, and create engaging retail spaces to meet, shop, and explore.”

Over 40 new jobs have been created by the rebrand of the store.

Flannels has also opened next door.

It will carry clothing and accessory lines from Represent, Palm Angels, and Vivienne Westwood.

The new developments comes after House of Fraser announced its intention to call in administrators in August 2018.

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, who owns The Frasers Group which includes Sports Direct, immediately struck a deal to buy the national brand and its stock for £90 million.

He has since purchased Fremlin Walk itself after the outdoor shopping centre went up for sale with a £25million price-tag in August.

Some concessions at House of Fraser had already been stripped bare ahead of its closure in the spring.

The glass front has now been changed to include branding for the new stores, as well as brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma and Under Armour, sold under the Sports Direct umbrella.

Speaking to KentOnline when the revamp was announced, a spokeswoman from Frasers Group said: “We are pleased to confirm that we are transforming the current House of Fraser site to provide Maidstone customers with a larger, elevated store that offers the world’s most aspirational brands.

“Following the group’s success in opening over eight Frasers stores to date, the group continues to invest in Frasers’ concept store model and will open a 65,000 sq ft Frasers in this space, featuring a Sports Direct.”

Meanwhile, in September, KentOnline reported how the closest House of Fraser to Maidstone, in Bluewater, would be closing after 25 years.

It is understood it will be shutting for good on November 27 with rumours retail giant Next is moving into its place.

The store had been one of the shopping centre’s three original anchor stores.