A closure-hit shopping center is set to welcome more pop-up stalls next year amid a surge of interest in the run up to Christmas.
County Square in Ashford has become home to a number of different stands in recent weeks, with The Cheshire Cheese Company proving particularly popular.
The Cheshire Cheese Company stall is attracting a lot of customers in County Square
The stalls have been set up in the original part of the centre, joining Calendar Club which opens in the main square every winter.
Stacey Bell, County Square’s retail scheme director, says bosses are extremely pleased to be working with a number of new operators.
“We have been delighted to welcome back our regulars – Calendar Club and Coaster Club – which we know our customers enjoy, and introduce Burning Desires Pyrography and specialty cheese and fudge stands too,” she said.
“The mall operators have been extremely popular and have added an additional buzz to the center atmosphere this year.
“We have received lots of interest from other operators too, and look to secure additional mall retailers throughout 2023 to further enhance the shopping experience for our customers.”
Mince pie-flavored fudge is availableCoaster Club is outside Peacocks in the main square
As well as the stalls, the Christmas Wonderland store is back in County Square for its second year, filling the former Card Factory store next to Deichmann.
Manager Sally Burdon says it’s going really well this winter.
“The shop first came to Ashford in Park Mall about 11 years ago,” she said.
“We had quite a long break as we do other towns too, but we’re back for a second year.”
Mrs Burdon is also in charge of The Cheshire Cheese Company and Old Time Fudge stalls, which have joined the center for the first time.
Christmas Wonderland has opened in the former Card Factory unitThe Christmas Wonderland store is run by husband-and-wife team Sally and Jay Burdon
“Everything is going really well for the stalls,” she said.
“The cheese has been more popular than the fudge, and the cheese has been in County Square a little longer too.
“I think it’s really nice that it’s been something a bit different for the centre; it’s a bit quirky and a bit fun so it has gone really well.
“I’m really pleased and the public do seem to really like it.”
Calendar Club is back in the centre’s main squareOld Time Fudge is outside HomePlus Furniture
There are 35 different flavors of fudge on offer, including Christmas creations such as mince pie flavor, as well as two vegan options.
The fudge stand will be in the center until New Year’s Eve while the cheese stall is set to stay until Christmas Eve.
County Square, which was sold to new owners in the spring, has lost a number of big-name chains in recent years, with Debenhams, H&M, River Island and M&S all quitting the site.
Plans revealed earlier this month showed how part of the former Debenhams building could become a leisure and entertainment space.