ICELAND RETURNS TO THE SHIRES

A familiar High Street name is returning to The Shires.

Iceland, which closed when Marks & Spencer Simply Food took over some of its stores in 2006, will open in November in the same location it occupied before, at the top of the escalator near the Asda entrance.

Also due to open shortly is a branch of Poundland.

The discount retailer will move into the unit formerly occupied by New Look which moved out at the end of September.

The Shires centre manager Steve Murray said: “It’s fantastic to welcome back Iceland. They were very popular when they traded here before and I have no doubt that shoppers will be delighted with their return.

“Poundland too will be a great boost for the centre. With its concept of selling around 3,000 items at £1, its arrival in Trowbridge couldn’t be more timely when people are looking for value for money in this difficult climate.

Poundland began trading almost 20 years ago with a pilot store in Burton-upon-Trent and now has more than 200 stores.

“We are close to finalising negotiations on a third business moving in and we hope to make an announcement soon but we can’t say any more at this stage,” said Mr Murray.

Mobile phone shop Orange also moved into The Shires a couple of weeks ago