Frozen goods giant Iceland has set its sights on opening a new store at the Bridgewater Retail Park at The Boulevard.
The shop – which could be manned by 40 staff, in both full- and part-time roles – is one of a number of units currently under construction at the shopping complex on the outskirts of Banbridge.
Iceland has set its sights on becoming the tenant of Unit 7 – which sits directly next to the M&S Simply Food store.
The retailer currently operates a smaller offering from within The Range superstore.
But Iceland hopes to open a standalone unit offering floorspace of close to 11,000 sq ft.
The store’s interest is revealed in information submitted in a separate application to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Approval is being sought for a “plant cage and bin store to include installation of plant to resultant plant cage, 3 no. openings in external wall for pipework/vent grill and construction of lean-to canopy to rear elevation”.
The works are earmarked for Unit 7 at Bridgewater Retail Park, one of two new outlets being built to complete a row which already includes Tesco, The Range, Home Bargains and M&S Simply Food.
A letter from the Cardiff-based agent acting on behalf of Iceland Foods Ltd, addressing the issue of traffic movement, advises that information can be provided on “the number of vehicles visiting the property daily in relation to Iceland’s prospective use of this unit”.
And, in terms of workers, “Iceland proposes to employ” approximately 10 full-time and 30 part-time staff.
Iceland, which specialises in frozen goods but also carries a full range of household grocery products – including milk, bread, tinned goods, fresh fruit and veg, and bakery and deli items – was founded by Sir Malcolm Walker in Shropshire back in 1970 as a single store selling ‘loose’ frozen goods.
Today, the company boasts more than 900 stores across the UK, including a town centre outlet at Newry Street in Banbridge, next to the Translink depot.
