Situated in Northamptonshire, midway between Cambridge and Nottingham, Kettering is set to increase its population from 86,000 to a massive 370,000 by the year 2021 which will no doubt lead to a greater choice of toy shops. The town’s economy was originally built upon the shoe and boot manufacturing industry, but now it is mainly involved in service and distribution industries, owing to its central location.
A massive town centre regeneration scheme was announced in 2007. This has refurbished and modernised the leisure and shopping facilities, although the re-modelled Newlands shopping centre is home to many of the main shops. Kettering’s toy shops are a mix of the multiple groups, and some interesting independent retailers like Completely Bear in Market Street. Here you can find a superb selection of animal soft toys, teddy bears and some soft bodied rag dolls.
