Hawkin’s Bazaar returns to Shrewsbury creating five new jobs
A familiar face is back on the Shrewsbury retail scene with the return of Hawkin’s Bazaar, three years after they closed their store in the Darwin Shopping Centre.
But the popular novelty gift and toy shop is back as part of a major expansion by the Norwich-based national chain and has reopened in the Pride Hill Shopping Centre.
The new opening brings five jobs with the promise of more temporary Christmas staff also being taken on.
Hawkin’s Bazaar spokesperson Daniella Masters said: “We are advertising for staff including a new manager for the store.
“We had to close the Shrewsbury store in 2011 because of issues at a national level but have always been keen to reopen here because it is such a vibrant shopping centre.
“That’s shown by the fact that we are opening on a permanent basis as part of an expansion which will see us open 15 stores across the country in the next month from our current level of 27 stores.
“Shrewsbury was always a good spot for us and we’re delighted to be back in the town.”
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “It’s great to have Hawkin’s Bazaar back and it’s good to see them expanding again across the country.
“They bring something different and a bit quirky to the retail offer here in the Shrewsbury Shopping Centres which is perfect for us as we combine the big high street names with small independent brands to create a very diverse shopping experience.”
Hawkin’s Bazaar launched in 1973 in Northumberland and took its name from the Hawk Inn, a disused pub in Suffolk, where it moved to, were one of the victims of the recession as they were forced to close all but eight of their 57 stores by 2012.
But a successful revival has been gathering pace and there are currently 34 stores open with more expected by Christmas.
