An opticians has confirmed when its new store will open in a closure-hit shopping centre as questions remain over the return of Waterstones.
Specsavers in County Square, Ashford, is moving from its current unit next to EE into the former Waterstones store next to Superdrug.
The bookshop closed in June with just a week’s notice after the firm announced plans to relocate within the town.
It remains unclear which unit the retailer will eventually take over, but it has been linked to the former River Island/Jobcentre unit in County Square.
A sign announcing the opening of the new Specsavers store states it will start trading on Monday, December 2.
A County Square spokeswoman added: “We are delighted to confirm we have completed a new lease with Specsavers to relocate to the former Waterstones unit next to Superdrug.
“Specsavers plans to move both its optician and hearing centre businesses into the one much larger space.
“It will be fitting out its new unit over the next few months and aim to start trading in their new store in December.
“Until its new store is ready, Specsavers will continue to trade in the existing units as normal.
“We are positive its relocation will be a great boost for its business and County Square shopping centre and wish them much success in its new home.”
In July, charity shop YMCA unexpectedly announced it was closing just three years after opening.
But County Square bosses say they are trying to find a suitable unit for the charity to relocate to.
A new tenant has been lined up to fill the charity’s former unit next to Poundland, although the details are yet to be confirmed.
Other recent closures at County Square include The Body Shop and Peacocks.
Debenhams, M&S, River Island and H&M have also left in recent years.
In March, KentOnline revealed how the centre’s multimillion-pound extension could be turned into 200 homes.
County Square’s owners put the site forward in a “call for sites” planning process led by Ashford Borough Council to identify suitable building plots.
It remains unclear exactly what the scheme will involve, but Q+A Planning Ltd, which put together the plan on behalf of the site’s owners, says it is “being promoted for a mixed-use development” that would take three years to complete.
