Shrews to unveil new signing – club shop to open in Darwin Centre
Shrewsbury Town’s latest signing is not a player but a new club store, right in the heart of the town at the busy Darwin Shopping Centre.The signing was announced this week and the shop will debut on October 1 to give the Shrews a real high street and town centre presence.
Town Chief Executive Matt Williams said: "It has been a busy week for the club, we had our game on Tuesday night against Carlisle and have an important game against Newport County on Saturday followed by the visit of Norwich City on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup.
“This announcement makes it even more important and means you will now be able to find all things Shrewsbury Town on the high street.”
The unit, on the Middle Level, is now undergoing a rapid overhaul with a view to being officially opened at the beginning of October when fans will be able to buy home match tickets for the as well as club shirts and other merchandise.
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “Football clubs are at the heart of their communities and that is especially true of clubs like Shrewsbury Town.
“I’m a football fan myself and so I am doubly delighted to have the Town here in the Darwin Centre. It will strengthen the bond between town and club.
“It also makes it easier for many fans to pop in to buy match tickets as well as shirts and kits and it’s a really welcome addition to our retail offer here and one we’re very excited about.”
The tenancy will last an initial three-month trial period and Matt Williams added: "Shrewsbury is a busy vibrant shopping centre with thousands of people passing through each week and the popularity of the club means we feel strongly that a unit in the Darwin Shopping Centre will prove very popular.
“At present people in Shropshire have to go somewhat off the beaten track to buy merchandise, book tickets or arrange a ground tour, and we want to make it easier for them to do all of this by having a presence in town. The easier we can make it for all concerned, the better it should be.
"I’d like to thank the owners of the Darwin Centre for their support and assistance in this project. Like us they see the benefit of having the football club as a partner and we are very much looking forward to getting the unit up and running.”
Pictured are Shrewsbury Town Chief Executive Matt Williams, left, and Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, at the Darwin Centre where the club’s new shop will open next month.