The £63 million shopping centre being built at Chatham Maritime has created around 150 construction jobs and will spawn another 200 in retail and related services.

The Dockside Outlet Centre, in and around the Victorian Dockyard boiler house, is expected to open in May or June.

Hundreds of businesses, including those with well-known designer names, have expressed an interest in moving in. It is hoped it will attract more than three million shoppers a years spending a total of around £40 million.