As if they’d never been away
Dozens of shoppers queued up to welcome discount department store TJ Hughes back to the County Town.
The store reopened in The Mall yesterday (Thursday) in the same two-storey premises it had left in 2011 when the chain went into administration.
About 50 people waited outside for the 9.30am opening, ready to snap up a range of homeware, kitchenware, clothing, toys and beauty products.
The new installation is part of a £5 million bid to revitalise the fortunes of the ageing King Street shopping centre.
So far, this has included remodelling of the main entrances and the widening of the Gabriels Hill access point.
Toilets and lifts have been refitted, and modern lighting and flooring installed.
Sore manager Ian Davies said: “We are very excited to be back in Maidstone. I remember when we were here the first time around but there have been lots of big changes since then and shoppers will see a big difference.”