Iceland Confirms UK Store Closures in Margate, Inverness Amid Expansion Plans

Iceland has announced the closure of two UK stores, its College Square location in Margate closing on June 21 and its Rose Street store in Inverness shutting on July 12. These closures come despite the company's earlier plans to open 20 new stores this year and follow over 20 store closures since the start of 2023. The Inverness store closure is partly attributed to customer complaints about parking charges and fines from a third-party operator, a factor frequently cited as detrimental to high street shopping. Iceland has stated that affected staff will enter a consultation process and be offered opportunities at nearby stores where possible. Local shoppers in both areas expressed dismay, with Margate customers lamenting the loss as a blow to the town's retail environment. The company has not specified why these particular stores were chosen for closure, but the move aligns with a broader shift towards expanding Food Warehouse outlets and addressing changing retail trends.