Swindon Designer Outlet's £35m expansion plan approved

The £35m expansion will bring an estimated 350 extra jobs

A planning application for a £35m expansion to Swindon's Designer Outlet centre has been approved.

The development will add 50,000 sq ft of retail space to the shopping centre and bring an estimated 350 extra jobs.

The Long Shop building, built in 1874 as part of the Grade II-listed Great Western Railway Works, will be converted to provide 30 new shops.

Manager Tina Cumpstey said: "This is an exciting phase not only for Swindon Designer Outlet, but also for Swindon".

Grouping brands

Conversion work is expected to be completed in autumn 2014.

The Designer Outlet, which currently offers 207,000 sq ft of retail space, is home to more than 90 factory outlet stores including Hugo Boss, Jaeger and LK Bennett.

The new development is part of a larger plan which includes making shopping easier by grouping similar retail brands together in special zones.

The centre, which is owned by Henderson Global Investors and managed by McArthur Glen, was built inside the former Great Western Railway Works and opened in 1997.