Clarks Village is primed to celebrate its 30th anniversary this August with a weekend brimming with fun activities, family entertainment, and exclusive offers.

Opened on August 14, 1993, Clarks Village placed Somerset at the forefront of UK retail, introducing the concept of outlet shopping to British consumers. The shopping destination has since become an integral part of the region, making an impactful debut with 50,000 visitors on its grand opening day.

As a leading retail venue for Somerset and beyond, Clarks Village has lured shoppers from all over the UK and overseas over the years. In honour of its 30-year milestone, the Village will host a weekend-long celebration from Saturday, August 12 to Monday, August 14, promising an unforgettable anniversary experience.

The birthday bash will transform the outdoor gardens of Clarks Village into a lively street party, complete with a 40-stall artisan market, 90s live music performances, and family activities such as face painting, store competitions, and giveaways. Further details will be revealed in the weeks to come.

When Clarks Village opened its doors in 1993, it occupied the former site of the C&J Clark factory buildings. The £3 million project, completed in 22 weeks, was home to well-known brands including Benetton, Clarks, Dartington Crystal, Farah, Laura Ashley, Pierre Cardin, Thorntons and Wrangler. Beyond shopping, the initial development offered cafes and restaurants and created over 300 jobs.

Reflecting on this momentous anniversary, Chris Davis, Centre Director at Clarks Village, said: "Celebrating such an incredible milestone means so much to us all at Clarks Village. As the first ever outlet to open in the UK, it's a great honour to be a part of such a special occasion for British retail and we're looking forward to a fantastic weekend of celebrations during the summer.  

"Outlet shopping continues to be a firm favourite for shoppers and with the variety of store openings we've already seen this year, we're looking forward to welcoming even more guests to the outlet in the years to come."

2023 has welcomed a host of new retailers to the outlet, including Sweaty Betty, Bubble T, Hugo Boss, ZWILLING and The Village Bite Box. This year, Clarks Village has also partnered with charities Key4Life and Ahead Partnership, aiding local young individuals in securing employment and educational opportunities.

As Clarks Village looks towards the future, sustainability remains a central focus. New initiatives include produce planters with free vegetables for the community and plans for a 'bee-friendly' meadowland area. In addition, the outlet will introduce community 'listening benches', bird boxes, bug hotels, and give more space to its century-old tree to grow.

Additional information about the 30th-anniversary festivities will be shared soon. For further details, please visit www.clarksvillage.co.uk.