Plans for Iceland Food Warehouse to open at Central Six Retail Park in Coventry

[dutchman]

It could be opening in Sports Direct at Central Six Retail Park



A huge new discount food retailer could soon be opening in Coventry. Iceland Food Warehouse is set to open at Central Six Retail Park if plans are approved.

Iceland Food Warehouse will, if granted permission, be taking over Sports Direct which will close for good in October. It would also be moving into the vacant unit next door which was formerly occupied by Gap.

Plans have been submitted to permit the sale of food and drink from Units 6A and 6B. Iceland has also requested permission to widen the servicing and delivery hours, according to Coventry City Council.

Iceland recently opened a new city centre store at West Orchards Shopping Centre. It will therefore 'compliment the town centre retail offer,' the company said.

CoventryLive understands the new store would have a 'warehouse-type look and feel' with wide shopping aisles, polished concrete floors, exposed services and no ceilings. It has been described as a 'cross between a cash and carry and a traditional food store.'

Customers will, if it goes ahead, find a wide range of chilled and frozen products, together with fresh produce, branded grocery lines, and a range of alcoholic drinks and other beverages. A large floorspace means that extended product ranges can be provided and allows for the sale of products in bulk, the company said.

Iceland says the retail offer would also include 'Case Saver Deals' which will be aimed at families who want to stock up on frozen food with infrequent, large bulk shops. A limited range of seasonal goods would also be on sale, the availability of which will generally be restricted as with discount retailers, such as Aldi and Lidl.

Iceland said the plans would result in the re-occupation of the part vacant retail unit, providing a significant number of local employment opportunities, as well as providing 'improved choices for local residents.' It would create up to 25 full and part-time jobs, they said.

[dutchman]

That's not too far from me and the way Morrisons is going...

[dutchman]

Coventry Sports Direct to close in days as supermarket set to move in



A large city-based sportswear retailer will be closing in a matter of days, it is understood. Sports Direct is set to close down at Central Six Retail Park in Coventry - but a still fairly new kind of supermarket will replace it.

Sports Direct will be closing to the public on Sunday, January 21. All of the full-price items are on sale and have been marked down by at least 20 per cent ahead of the store closure this weekend.

Signs emblazoned on the shopfront read: 'Last Few Days: 4 Days To Go.' Customers previously told CoventryLive they were 'saddened' to hear of the closure of the retailer at Central Six.

It comes as several once-popular retailers fight for survival in an ever-changing retail climate with many high-street favourites disappearing all over the UK. Boots, Clintons and Argos are among the huge names that have announced plans to close for good in 2024.

Plans have revealed that Sports Direct will be replaced by Iceland Food Warehouse, which has only been running since 2014 but already has around 150 sites in the UK. It will also be taking over the vacant unit next door which was formerly occupied by Gap.

The Food Warehouse says it is one of the "fastest growing British supermarkets". Their website states: "Part of the Iceland Foods Group, The Food Warehouse offers customers and local businesses a simpler way to shop for great value and great quality products.

"With bigger pack options on well known brands you can stock up for less on all your favourites." It goes on to add: "What makes us different is our super simple store layouts with wider and fewer aisles so that shopping doesn't have to be stressful."

The site says stores are open until 8pm in many cases or later and often have free parking.

[dutchman]

Watch this before buying...

[dutchman]

On the other hand...