Shoppers have welcomed plans for a Christmas market at Ashford Designer Outlet, but there are fears it could attract even more customers from the city centre.
Bosses have pitched their idea to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to set up stalls over the festive period.
If given the go-ahead, plans would see nine wooden market stalls in the extension of the site, close to Starbucks and Polo Ralph Lauren, from November 18 to December 31.
They would be open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
But some shoppers have raised concerns about parking in the center, which is home to more than 100 stores.
Debbie Jones, who was shopping with friend Christine Falzon, said: “I would definitely go if there was a Christmas market.
“I think it’s a great idea, but the only problem could be that extra people will come. It’s already quite busy here, so it could get even busier.
“This could make it even more difficult to park.”
Lindsey Baxter, a teacher at Highworth Grammar School in Ashford, says she would certainly welcome a Christmas market, but says a recent increase in parking charges could have an impact.
“I’m a German teacher, so I love them,” she said.
“It’s a great idea, but what about parking? When I first moved to Ashford about 15 years ago it was £1, now it’s £2.50 so this may put people off.
“Having a market might help outlet stores, but I don’t think it will help the city center because there’s nothing there for people to want to go to.
“The outlet is aimed more at tourists than locals and I think this is why it is so popular and why they decided to turn it into a market.
“However, I expect it will be too expensive.”
Bosses at the McArthurGlen site say the market will “support the role and function of the wider Ashford Designer Outlet as a shopping and leisure destination during the important pre-Christmas shopping period”.
Their planning application submitted to ABC adds: “Despite the temporary nature of the facilities, the proposals are extremely small in scale.
“The majority of travel would be linked to customers already visiting the Designer Outlet and would not take trade away from the city centre.”
It comes at a time when the venue, which is at 97% capacity, is set to welcome shoe retailer Crocs back after seven years.
The business will fill a unit now occupied by Tog24, with the outdoor clothing store moving to the former Patisserie Valerie.
It is hoped that Crocs will welcome customers on July 15.
Center manager Peter Heritage said: “Crocs traded here about seven years ago so we are very pleased to have them coming back.
“It is a hugely popular brand, very trendy at the moment and has a very loyal following.”
Although the Patisserie Valerie unit has been vacant for some time, Heritage says his team is prioritizing sourcing the right brands over quickly filling empty units.
He says the center had its best ever trading year last year.
“We’re talking to brands about all these empty units,” he said.
“We are in a very positive position, especially given the current economic climate.”
Following the recent closures of Ashford’s County Square shopping centre, including Body Shop and Peacocks, Heritage says he hopes his team’s efforts at the shopping center will have a positive impact on the town centre.
“We have a very different offer than what is in the city center,” he says.
“We are a Designer Outlet with designer brands, so I think we complement what is available in the city centre. It’s great that we’re successful, but we want the city center to be successful too.
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“It’s also important to know that our customers generally come from further afield and around half of our turnover comes from outside Kent. That is why we are bringing people to the area, which will hopefully also benefit the city centre.”
The application will be decided by ABC planners.