Shoppers Celebrate Opening of Kent’s New Cadbury Store

Hundreds of eager shoppers visited the new Cadbury store today, marking its first opening at the Ashford Designer Outlet in Kent. This location is now the only Cadbury store in the county, joining a total of 17 other stores across the UK. The store’s launch has generated excitement among local residents, particularly as Kent had not hosted a Cadbury shop since the closure of the Chatham’s Dockside Outlet Centre in 2021.

The Cadbury store, located at the McArthurGlen site along Kimberley Way, offers a range of products, including its beloved Dairy Milk line, Bournville, and various selection boxes, which even feature themed items such as gingerbread houses. The presence of the store is a welcome addition for many, as expressed by local resident Sarah Elliott, who remarked on social media, “Ooh need to get my thinking cap on – traditional tales with a gingerbread/chocolate house perhaps.” Another shopper, Karoline Lincoln, commented, “The Ashford trip is going to be very chocolate filled isn’t it?”

Strategic Location and Recent Changes

The Cadbury outlet occupies a unit that was previously home to Jack Wills, which closed its last remaining store in Kent on July 26, 2023, following the earlier closure of its Canterbury branch in December 2022. The new addition to the Ashford Designer Outlet comes shortly after the opening of Rodd & Gunn, a New Zealand brand, which began trading on September 12, 2023. Another notable addition to the center was Sportslocker, which joined the roster of over 110 luxury brands in July.

The enthusiastic response from the community underscores the strong demand for Cadbury products, which have been a staple in British confectionery for generations. Local shoppers are keen to embrace the new store, which not only fills a gap left by previous retail closures but also contributes to the vibrant shopping experience in the area.

As the new Cadbury store settles into its role within the Ashford Designer Outlet, it appears poised to become a popular destination for chocolate lovers and families alike, rekindling fond memories of the brand’s previous presence in the region.