Mountain Warehouse returns to Kent town's retail park after closing in town centre

Mountain Warehouse has returned to a Kent town after closing its shop in the town centre. The UK outdoor retailer shut its store in the pedestrian precinct less than two years ago.

It opened a new store in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday (June 1) - but this time it is at an out-of-town site, on North Farm in Longfield Road.

It has moved into the former Argos site and created 10 jobs. The parade of stores is also home to Next, New Look and TK Maxx and there is free limited-time parking at the front.

Mountain Warehouse opened its former shop in Calverley Road precinct, the pedestrianised shopping area of Tunbridge Wells, in 1997. But the precinct saw a spate of big brands leaving the main drag, which not only included Mountain Warehouse but also New Look and Topshop.

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Health food store Holland & Barrett moved into Mountain Warehouse's empty precinct site, having moved from a much smaller store more or less opposite, opening in September 2022. In January 2018, KentLive reported Argos was leaving Tunbridge Wells town centre and moving to Sainsbury's.

At that stage, its store at Longfield Road at Tunbridge Wells Shopping Park was unaffected. But in 2022, Argos revealed this store would shut later that year.

Mountain Warehouse sells women's, men's and children's clothes, footwear and equipment, along with wetsuits and tents. It will also sell the "coastal lifestyle" brand Animal which includes hoodies, t-shirts, changing robes, beach shoes and swimwear.

Mark Neale, Mountain Warehouse CEO and founder, said: "We’re delighted to be opening our new store in Tunbridge Wells and excited to share our passion for adventure and great value outdoor gear for all the family, even the dog!"

The company, which is at Unit 4, Tunbridge Wells Shopping Park in Longfield Road, sells items for pursuits such as walking, running, cycling, camping, and skiing, with equipment and clothing for the family.

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