The Original Factory Shop closes in Tenterden

One of Tenterden's familiar High Street names has closed its doors, with The Original Factory Shop holding its final day of trading on Saturday 28 March 2026.

The store had occupied the large unit at 9–11 High Street, offering discounted clothing, homeware and branded goods over its years in the town. Its closure left one of the most prominent retail spaces on the street standing empty, prompting plenty of local speculation about what might take its place.

That question was answered within months, when it was confirmed that discount retailer Poundstretcher would move into the same unit — bringing the space back into use and softening the impact of the closure on the look and feel of the High Street.

Shop closures are always felt keenly in a market town like Tenterden, where the High Street is very much the heart of the community. A large empty unit can affect the impression visitors take away and the footfall passing nearby traders, so the relatively quick turnaround to a new occupier was welcomed by many.

The change is part of the natural ebb and flow of a working High Street, which over the past year has seen both departures and a healthy number of new arrivals. While the loss of a long-standing name is a reminder of the pressures facing bricks-and-mortar retail, Tenterden continues to attract businesses willing to invest in the town — a sign of confidence in its future as a shopping destination.

For shoppers who knew The Original Factory Shop well, its closure marks the end of an era; but with a new retailer quickly stepping in, the unit has not been left empty for long.