A store selling Asian groceries, home appliances and kitchenware has opened in a town centre.

The Longdan branch has replaced the former M&S unit in Week Street, Maidstone.

Longdan, which has more than 13 stores in the UK, sells products from Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Korea and other eastern countries.

The supermarket opened its doors to Maidstone customers on Friday (January 26) with a soft launch.

Some shelves remain empty and the cafe is running on a limited menu but it still has hundreds of Asian products available for purchase.

The Plantbase Store, which is owned by Longdan, has moved into the Maidstone unit along with it.

On an Instagram post, the supermarket brand said: “Positioned strategically, this store stands as one of the few Asian markets in the area, catering to the preferences of Asian cuisine enthusiasts.”

The shop has a large freezer section selling East-Asian foods, including bao buns, gyozas, dorayaki and mochi.

There is also a variety of fresh produce on offer – from Dragon fruit, to pomelos and papayas.

There are entire sections dedicated to Korean instant noodles which have recently been viral on TikTok.

As well as cooking ingredients and groceries, the Longdan store sells kitchen appliances such as rice cookers and steamers.

There is Asian kitchenware and utensils available, including soup bowls, chopsticks and bamboo sushi mats.

Customers can also sit down at the in store cafe which serves milk and fruit teas and sugar cane drinks from £5.

Shoppers can receive a 10% discount which is available during the first month of opening.

Longdan has taken over the unit which once homed M&S menswear and childrenswear, a food hall, and a cafe.

The other M&S unit, just doors down, sold womenswear and beauty. This is still vacant and plans for it remain unknown.

In January 2022, both M&S shops permanently closed and a new one opened in Eclipse Park near Junction 7 of the M20.

Recently there has been a surge of shops shutting in Maidstone’s town centre.

Earlier this month, Sports Direct in The Mall, and Costa Coffee in King’s Street both announced they would cease trading.

And department store, House of Fraser is set to close for six months as it undergoes a refit.

Before Christmas shoppers were shocked to discover Zara in Fremlin’s walk had unexpectedly shut.

Longdan is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sundays 11am to 5pm.