Kentish Express Ashford & District
Through its paces
A new children’s play area is now open at Ashford Designer Outlet.
The £400,000 Garden of England themed playground at the centre off Kimberley Way features a seven-metre high Robinia tree house - one of the UK’s tallest of its kind - a slide, climbing frames and see-saws.
The digitally-enhanced playground will also feature immersive augmented reality play experiences from Hans Christian Anderson.
It will have space for more than 200 children to play at one time.
And to ensure the equipment is up to scratch, Year 5 pupils from the John Wallis Academy in Ashford were sent in to try it out.
The visit also marked the first time the pupils saw the three winning butterfly designs featured on the play park, which they helped create at an education and colouring session with the Kent Wildlife Trust.
John McParland, principal of the John Wallis Academy, said: “Seeing the students butterfly designs come to life was a special moment for staff and students alike, we already can’t wait to come and play again.”
Peter Corr, centre manager, said: “We are thrilled to have launched our hugely anticipated children’s playground. It has been fantastic to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they explored the equipment. We hope the new playground delights our little visitors for years to come.”
The playground is part of the Ashford Designer Outlet’s £90m expansion plans.
Fifty new shops will be added to the centre’s offer, plus new restaurants, an event space and more car parking spaces.
Work is underway on an additional 100,000 sq ft of retail space, which will also create 50 jobs.
This month two new eateries opened at the centre, including YO! Sushi and Pret.
Children visiting the centre until tomorrow (Friday) can enjoy a butterfly colouring workshops, where they can discover more about the local wildlife that inspired the playground theme. The free workshops run throughout half term from 11.30am-3pm in partnership with the Kent Wildlife Trust.
A late night shopping event will also be held at the mall today (Thursday), with live music and opening hours extended to 11pm.