Kentish Express Ashford & District
On your marks! Sports outlet coming in autumn
Work has begun to convert County Square’s former Mothercare store into a JD Sports outlet.
It is hoped the national sportswear chain will open in the County Square unit this autumn, the shopping centre has confirmed.
The Kentish Express exclusively revealed earlier this year that JD Sports planned to move into the town centre shopping mall this year.
Mothercare closed in March, and a County Square spokesman previously appeared to suggest that this site was the likely venue.
Now initial work is under way in preparation f or the store’s opening in a few months time.
Lesley Farnborough, marketing coordinator for County Square, said: “The landlord’s enabling work has commenced on the former Mothercare unit and this will take a number of weeks to complete.
“JD Sports will then start with the exciting new shop fit.
“We do not have an exact date for opening at the moment but it’s likely to be the beginning of October and we’ll know more nearer the time.”
JD Sports cemented its reputation as the UK’s biggest-listed sporting goods retailer in Novem- ber last year when it bought outdoor stores group Go Outdoors for £112.3 million. JD also owns the Blacks, Millets, Ultimate Outdoors and Tiso brands. The sports group already has branches around Kent, i ncluding stores i n Maidstone, Canterbury and Bluewater. JD Sports was contacted for comment. At the beginning of the year, a spokesman was unable to provide information about opening dates, times or jobs but said details would be made available “closer to the time.”
What do you think of the next County Square resident? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk