Frozen food group buys Hexham Woolworths store

Posted by The Journal on Jan 11, 09 02:23 PM in News

Iceland Frozen food group Iceland has confirmed it will move into two former Woolworth's stores in Northumberland.

More than 23 Woolworths branches across the North East were closed after the store called time on their 99-year long reign of the high street last month.

But last night it was announced the Hexham store on Fore Street, and the Morpeth store on Bridge Street, were being bought by Iceland.

And last night Hexham MP Peter Atkinson welcomed the move, saying the new deal would help to secure employment for those who had lost their jobs following the collapse of Woolworths.

He said: "It's good news and I've always felt that the Hexham high street would be an attractive location. They will be employing staff who were let go from Woolworths.

"It's positive to know that we are not going to have a large empty shop on our high street."

Nationally the Iceland store will acquire 51 former Woolworths stores. The move means 2,500 jobs will be created across the country over the coming year.

Nick Canning, marketing director for Iceland, said: "We are confident we can help to support the local community in these towns who have lost a major high street retailer in Woolworths."

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