Mulberry founder expands Kilver Court

Mulberry founder Roger Saul has unveiled the expansion

of his Somerset-based designer shopping village, Kilver Court, with the opening of five new retail outlets.

Joining the Mulberry factory shop, the Designer Emporium and the Aubin & Wills outlet store are retailers Jack Wills, LK Bennett, Toast, Hawick Cashmere of Scotland and Jane Clayton & Company, with one store still available to let.

Kilver Court, which sits on the site of Shepton Mallet’s historic silk mills, has been opened a year and according to Saul the designer village has attracted more than 120,000 visitors and generated just over £8m in sales in its first year.

In addition, the retail outlet has created more than 40 jobs and more than £2m has gone back into Shepton Mallet’s local economy through employment, construction and local businesses.

Freddie Saul, Brand Director at Kilver Court Designer Village, said: “As you can imagine, it has been no mean feat to open five new designer shops in the current economic climate, but the reputation of Roger and the success of the Mulberry factory shop have been driving factors in this initial stage.”