Food retail giant plans summer opening in Mansfield
THE FOOD WAREHOUSE SET TO TAKE OVER TWO UNITS AT ST PETER’S RETAIL PARK
A MAJOR food retailer has confirmed it is set to take on the soonto-be merged units of the former Laura Ashley and Toys R Us branches in Mansfield.
The Food Warehouse, a sister company of retailer Iceland, will take on the two units at St Peter’s Retail Park once the two units become one.
Plans were first revealed in December last year for the two units to be combined, with both sites currently empty following the administrations of both companies.
No retailer was confirmed for the new unit at the site, however, a separate application recently submitted to Mansfield District Council showed Iceland to be the applicant.
The company, which has an Iceland store in the Rosemary Centre, says the new store will not impact on its current Mansfield shop.
Confirming the news to the Post, Iceland says it hopes to open its The Food Warehouse store by mid to late summer 2021.
An Iceland spokesperson said: “The planning application at St Peter’s Retail Park relates to a proposed The Food Warehouse store - a concept launched by Iceland in 2014 and now trading in 140 locations across the UK. If all goes to plan the new store will open in mid to late summer 2021.
“The Food Warehouse offers a completely different shopping experience from our core Iceland stores and they both trade together in a growing number of towns across the country. These plans do not affect our existing Iceland store in Mansfield.”
As part of the retail park plans, signs for Laura Ashley and Toys R Us will be taken down and signage space made for one shop across the two units. The shop fronts will also be altered, with the entrance of Laura Ashley replaced by windows and the Toys R Us entrance used as the main entry point for The Food Warehouse.
Documents submitted to the council added: “The proposals will allow for a new occupier to trade from the amalgamated units, bringing vacant units back into productive use and contributing positively towards the vitality and viability of the retail park.”
The Food Warehouse offers frozen, fresh, chilled and branded foods, as well as groceries.
The store, which is similar to a cash and carry, also sells homewares.