Rising Star gift shop to expand into former Santander branch

There was a vote of confidence in Tenterden's High Street in early 2026, as the owner of popular gift shop Rising Star announced plans to expand into a second premises in the town.

The business revealed it had taken on the former Santander bank branch at 32 High Street — a building that had stood empty since the bank closed in the summer of 2025. Bringing a vacant former bank back into retail use is a welcome step for the town, returning a substantial unit to active trade.

The expansion is a notable show of faith in the local High Street at a time when many town centres across the country are wrestling with empty units and changing shopping habits. For an established independent business to grow rather than retreat is exactly the kind of news that helps maintain confidence among other traders and would-be investors.

Rising Star has built a loyal following in Tenterden for its range of gifts and homeware, and a second site gives the business room to grow while keeping its trade firmly in the town. Former bank branches, with their generous floor space and prominent positions, can make excellent retail units once repurposed, and breathing new life into the old Santander adds to the variety on offer along the street.

The move reflects a wider picture in Tenterden through 2026, which has seen a steady stream of new openings and expansions. Independent retailers remain central to the town's appeal, and the growth of a well-known local name is a positive sign for the High Street's continued vitality.