HUNDREDS of shoppers waited patiently as the wraps finally came off Maidstone’s new Fremlin Walk shopping centre.

The day of celebration to mark the opening of the flagship House of Fraser store started with a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the main entrance in Week Street and was rounded off with a visit by star of TV’s Cutting It Amanda Holden.

John Laker, managing director of developer Centros Miller, speaking at Thursday launch, said: "The town has been waiting 20 years for this to happen. Today is the day when we open the first major store in Maidstone for, perhaps, 30 years and we have worked hard to get to this day."

The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Peter Hooper said: "This is a very important and exciting day for Maidstone and the economic vitality of the County Town.

"There is no doubt, however, that to continue to maintain our market position a substantial expansion in the retail offer of the town was vital and Fremlin Walk fulfils this need."

Maidstone town centre manager Bill Moss said: "This centre moves Maidstone to number 42 in the league of desirable shopping centres in the country and heralds the dawn of a brand new shopping experience for Maidstone town centre."

The rest of the 50 shops and restaurants at Fremlin Walk will open during the next six to eight weeks. A grand opening for the whole scheme will take place later in the year.