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Five Guys allowed to open at Ashford Designer Outlet despite featuring on list of 'banned' restaurants

A burger chain thought to be banned from opening in the Designer Outlet has been allowed to move into the new extension.

Five Guys - which arrived in Ashford last month - had previously been included in the list of companies restricted from opening in the centre.

The list was agreed between Ashford Borough Council (ABC) and McArthurGlen when planning approval was granted for the £90 million expansion in 2015.

Five Guys is opening at the Designer Outlet (11446508)
Five Guys is opening at the Designer Outlet (11446508)

Almost 40 companies - including JD Wetherspoons, TGI Fridays and Nandos - cannot be approached by the owners of the Ashford Designer Outlet in order to protect the town centre.

Five Guys was one of the restaurants listed, but planning officers have since allowed the fast food chain to move into the centre as they had no desire to open elsewhere in the town.

The American fast food restaurant will be based at the new Food Piazza, and will be joined by a host of other restaurants that are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Here's a full list of the banned restaurants:

  • Be at One
  • Brew Dog
  • Byron
  • Carluccios
  • Chicago Rock Cafe
  • Coal
  • Cosmo
  • East Restaurants
  • Five guys
  • Cau
  • Giggling Squid
  • Giraffe
  • Glendola
  • Gondola group which runs Ask and Zizzi
  • Gourmet Burger Kitchen
  • Greene King - Hungry Horse
  • Handmade Burger Co
  • Itsu
  • JD Wetherspoons
  • JRC Global Buffe
  • La Tasca or La Vina
  • Las Iguanas
  • Loungers
  • Intertain
  • Mitchells and Butlers
  • Nandos
  • Prezzo PLC which runs Prezzo and Chimichanga
  • Real China
  • Richoux Group PLC which runs Deans Diner, Villagio, Richoux, Zippers
  • Ruby Tuesdays
  • Spur Steakhouse
  • Stonegate PLC
  • Tasty PLC which owns Wildwood & Dim T
  • TGI Fridays
  • The Real Greek
  • Tragus - the group which includes Cafe Rouge, Strada and Bella Italia
  • TRG which operates Frankie + Benny's, Chicquitos and Coast to Coast
  • Turtle Bay
  • Youngs

A council spokesman said: “We want the Designer Outlet and town centre working in a complementary way and together providing something that will attract visitors and improve Ashford’s overall retail and entertainment offer for our residents.

"Therefore when the outlet expansion was approved the council negotiated an agreement in respect of the restaurants that could open there.

"We believe this was one of the first agreements in the country at the time and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring the town centre continues to thrive, alongside an expanded Designer Outlet Centre.

“It’s important to note that the agreement was negotiated with McArthurGlen, and not imposed on them by the council. It was also agreed at the time to keep the situation under review, which we have done.

"When it became clear that Five Guys had no desire to move to the town centre, discussions were held with all parties to secure this brand for the residents of Ashford, and we are delighted to welcome them here.”

Here's a list of retailers which have been permitted under the plans although this is not a definite list of shops which are going to open:

  • 7 For All Mankind
  • Adidas
  • Agent Provocateur
  • Alfred Dunhill
  • All Saints
  • Amefa
  • American Eagle
  • Andrea Mattia
  • Anne Fontaine
  • Annoushka
  • Anthropologie
  • Antler
  • Anya Hindmarch
  • Armani
  • Armani Ex
  • Asics
  • Austin Reed
  • Bally
  • Banana Republic
  • Bang & Olufsen
  • Barbour
  • Basler
  • Bedeck
  • Bellissimo
  • Belstaff
  • Ben Sherman
  • Berghaus
  • Billabong
  • Bonpoint
  • Bose
  • Botega Veneta
  • Brooks Brothers
  • Burberry
  • Cadenza
  • Calvin Klein
  • Carolina Herrera
  • Celine
  • Chapelle
  • Charles Tyrwhitt
  • Chisholm Hunter
  • Chloe
  • Christy Towels
  • Churchs
  • Coast
  • Coccinelle
  • Cos
  • Cotton Traders
  • Crag Hoppers
  • Cross Pens
  • Daniel Footwear
  • David Clulow
  • Denby
  • Diane Von Furstenberg
  • Diesel
  • Dior
  • DKNY
  • Dolce & Gabbana
  • Dune
  • East
  • Ermenigildo Zegna
  • Esprit
  • Fendi
  • Fiorelli
  • Folli
  • Follie
  • Fossil
  • Fred Perry
  • Furla Gaggia
  • Gant
  • Ghost
  • Gieves & Hawkes
  • Gina
  • GStar
  • Gucci
  • Guess Hackett
  • Hearts on Fire
  • Heidi Klum
  • Henry Lloyd
  • Hobbs
  • Hollister
  • Home & Cook
  • Hornby
  • Hugo Boss
  • J Crew
  • Jack Wolfskin
  • Jacques Vert
  • Jaeger
  • Jeff Banks
  • Jimmy Choo
  • Joseph Joules
  • Juicy Couture
  • K.I.D.S
  • Kate Spade
  • Kenzo
  • Kipling
  • Klass
  • Kurt Geiger
  • Kytch & Sync
  • La Perla
  • Lacoste
  • Lakeland Leather
  • Lalique
  • Le Creuset
  • Levi's
  • Lindt
  • Links
  • LK Bennett
  • Loewe
  • Lola & Grace
  • Longchamp
  • Loro Piana
  • Lulu Guiness
  • Marc Jacobs
  • Marni
  • Massimo Dutti
  • Max Mara
  • MCM
  • Michael Kors
  • Mint Velvet
  • Missoni
  • Molton Brown
  • Moncler
  • Mulberry
  • Musto
  • N.Peal
  • Neal's Yard
  • Nicole Farhi
  • Nike
  • Oakley
  • Oliver Bonas
  • O'Neill
  • Original Penguin
  • Oscar de la Renta
  • Osprey
  • Paul Costelhoe
  • Paul Smith
  • Penhaligons
  • Polo Ralph Lauren
  • Portmeirion
  • Prada
  • ProCook
  • Proudfoot
  • Pull and Bear Radley
  • Ralph Lauren Home
  • Rectella
  • Reebok
  • Regatta
  • Reiss
  • Roberto Cavalli
  • Rupert Sanderson
  • Russell and Bromley
  • Saint Laurent Paris
  • Saltrock
  • Salvatore Ferragomo
  • Samsonite
  • Sandro
  • Savoy Taylors Guild
  • Sergio Rossi
  • Sheridan
  • Skechers
  • Smythson
  • Sonos Spane NK
  • Stars & Legends
  • Stella McCartney
  • Suit Direct
  • Sunglass Hut
  • Swarovski
  • Tag Heuer
  • Ted Baker
  • Tefal
  • Temperley
  • Tempur
  • The Kooples
  • The North Face
  • Thomas Pink
  • Timberland
  • Tod's
  • Tog 24
  • Tommy Hilfiger
  • Tory Burch
  • Toshiba
  • Tripp
  • Triumph
  • True Religion
  • Tula
  • Tumi
  • Tutta Bella
  • Ugg Australia
  • Uniqlo
  • Valentino Versace
  • Victoria Secret
  • Vivienne Westwood
  • Watchstation
  • Whistles
  • Whittard
  • Wolford
  • Wonderbra
  • World Belts
  • Yankee Candles
  • Yumi
  • Zatchels
  • Zwilling
  • Aubade
  • Cath Kidson
  • Converse
  • Dunhill
  • Escada
  • FF Group
  • Hunter
  • Inditex Group
  • Jack Wills
  • Karen Millen
  • Kering Group
  • Lulu Lemon
  • LVMH
  • New Balance
  • Pinko
  • SMCP
  • Sonba Rykel
  • Scotch & Soda
  • Under Armour
  • White Stuff
  • VF Group
  • Villebrequin
  • Zegna

So far, Pret a Manger, YO! Sushi and Lost Sheep Coffee have opened in the new food piazza, while Zwilling and Paul Costelloe are the first homeware and fashion brands to open.

Five Guys will open later this year and other brands are set to be announced in the coming months.

The expanded Outlet is due to open in Autumn 2019, and will include 50 new premium and luxury brands and new facilities such as an events space, food piazza and 725 car additional car parking spaces.

It is also expected to create 500 new jobs in the town.

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