SHOPPERS have expressed devastation as a bargain supermarket is closing a store following a wave of closures.
Iceland pulled down the shutters of its branch in Llanelli, Wales over the weekend (September 2).
Iceland pulled the plus on a shop in Wales this weekendGetty
It’s the 15th store the supermarket has closed this year and it won’t be the last.
Disappointed shoppers took to Facebook to express their sadness with the news.
One person commented “everyone is gutted” while someone else wrote, “it’s a shame”.
A third shopper added: “Another one bites the dust.”
Iceland will also be closing its branch in the Market Shopping Centre, in Crewe, and shop in Grange Road, Birkenhead, on September 16.
Before the Llanelli store closed, its shop in Fratton shut on August 26.
Here’s the full list of Iceland branches that have closed so far this year:
Here is the full list:
Mill Lane, Bromsgrove – FebruaryChineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke – FebruaryWhite Rose Centre, Rhyl – MarchSouth Street, Newport, Isle of Wight – MarchSt Catherine’s Place, Bedminster, Bristol – MarchDeiniol Centre, Bangor – MarchNewport – AprilBerwick – AprilHexham – AprilFlint, Wales – MayBeccles, Suffolk – JuneSt David’s Place, Swansea – JulyFife – August 12Fratton – August 26Llanelli – September 2
It isn’t all doom and gloom though – Iceland also has plans to open stores as well.
The bargain retailer pulled up the shutters on a store in Slough and opened two new shops under the Food Warehouse brand in Kendal and Aberdeen in recent weeks.
A spokesperson previously told The Sun its portfolio has grown by almost 200 stores in the last 10 years.
In 2022, it opened 24 new stores.
The spokesperson added: “We typically open more than 20 new stores each year, creating many new jobs and contributing to the growth of local economies.
“At the same time we review the retail experience offered to our customers and have always made a small number of store closures every year as local shopping patterns change and shop leases expire.”
The closures come as part of a whole wave of retailers shutting shop on the high street.
Millets, known for its outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment, is pulling down the shutters on its Mansfield branch.
The store will welcome loyal customers in for the last time on Saturday, October 14.
Argos, Iceland and House of Fraser all closed a number of stores during the summer.
Meanwhile, some companies have gone bust entirely this year, including Cath Kidston and Paperchase.
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