Popular shopping destination Ashford Designer Outlet will host a larger Christmas market this year.
Bosses at the centre have been granted permission to double the size of its festive offering, after hosting its first ever market last year.
Site owner McArthurGlen submitted the plans to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in July, with the application being given the green light this month.
Last year, nine stalls were set up between Starbucks and Ralph Lauren, selling decorations, food and drink.
Now permission has been granted to increase that to 21, with the event running from November 1 to January 1 – more than two weeks longer than last year.
Eleven of the stalls will be set up in the same area as last year, with the extra 10 stalls to be located near Wagamama and Lacoste.
They will be open from 9am until 9pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10am until 6pm on Sundays.
Speaking on the approval, centre manager Peter Heritage said: “We’re thrilled to have secured planning permission for a larger Christmas market.
“This year will see a small expansion, providing a fantastic foundation for gradual growth over future festive seasons, creating a seasonal festive attraction for shoppers and the local community.”
Chiefs at consultancy firm Montagu Evans, which submitted the application on behalf of the Outlet, said they hope the market can run on a five-year contract until 2029.
Bosses previously stressed the expansion of the festive market will not compete with the town centre of Ashford.
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Meanwhile, ABC is yet to decide on controversial plans for a temporary Ferris wheel on part of the centre’s main car park.
If approved, the 108ft structure – which includes 24 separate gondolas – would operate six months a year for the next five years.
But residents living nearby have raised privacy concerns over the observation wheel.
