Three retailers are to move into Whitefriars shopping centre.

Stationery and accessories seller Smiggle, beach-inspired clothing and homeware business Seasalt and independent restaurant Happy Samurai are lined up to join the complex in Canterbury.

The centre, which is anchored by Fenwick and M&S, has 80 stores, including a 60,000 sq ft Primark and attracts about 13 million visitors annually.

Australian chain Smiggle, will take a 622 sq ft space on Marlowe Arcade alongside Costa and Swarovski on a 10-year lease.

Seasalt, founded in 1981 in Penzance, has secured a 1,312 sq ft space on a 10-year lease.

Japanese-inspired restaurant Happy Samurai will also open at the centre, taking 1,044 sq ft of space on Marlowe Arcade.

“These recent lettings at Whitefriars are testament to the increasingly aspirational and diverse brands we are seeing at the centre..." - Chris Parfitt, TH Real Estate

The news was revealed by part-owner TH Real Estate, which also owns a Wickes and retail space in Ashford.

Director of shopping centres Chris Parfitt said: “These recent lettings at Whitefriars are testament to the increasingly aspirational and diverse brands we are seeing at the centre.

“The occupiers will expand the current tenant mix and lend themselves to the centre’s high-reaching catchment area. Last month, we saw footfall rise by 9.6% and are eager to continue attracting both high street and independent brands alike.”

Lunson Mitchenall and MMX Retail are the joint leasing agents for Whitefriars Canterbury.

Harper Dennis Hobbs acted for Smiggle and Insight Retail acted for Seasalt. Happy Samuri were unrepresented.

Earlier this month, Canterbury City Council agreed to buying a 50% share of the Whitefriars site.

It was built on council land in 2005 and leased to Land Securities for 250 years, which later sold the lease – half to TH Real Estate and other half to the Canadian Pension Fund.

Canterbury City Council is intending to buy the part owned by CPF.