A market town centre is in line for a new year new look.
The small Iceland supermarket in Neston is to close in the spring, it has been disclosed, but four currently empty properties in the town have a brighter future beckoning.
The loss of the Iceland outlet when Neston is fighting to boost its high street was disclosed by the town’s AboutMyArea website edited by Carrie Spacey who is also chairman of the Neston and District Chamber of Trade.
The web site said Iceland would be closing its doors in March.
Staff had been informed of the decision and there was speculation the move was largely due to a rent hike for the High Street premises it was suggested.
Members of both Neston Town Council and the chamber of trade expressed concern if this was the possible reason.
But Iceland told the web site: “We can confirm that the Iceland store in Neston will be closing because of its small size which restricts the range we are able to carry and intense competition in the area.
“We are very grateful for the custom and support of the community over the years. Iceland is continuing to open new stores and will review any suitable opportunities that may arise.”
The branch will close on Saturday March 19 with no word yet on the future employment of the current staff.
On the bright side AboutMyArea believes four currently empty premises in the town are due to reopen in 2016.
The former Galen pharmacy building on the lower high street is to be home to a new Costa coffee shop from early in the new year and The Lodestar in Brook Street is due to re-open imminently.
A local business is said to be in the last stages of negotiations over the former Cheshire Building Society premises and the former NatWest bank at 15 The Cross has been sold at auction to a local business though its future use is as yet to be determined.
The three storey, mid terrace bank, which closed in 2015 due to falling business, was sold for £165,000 according to agents.
The property, occupying a prominent town centre location, was described as an investment or development opportunity.
The closure, described as a ‘crushing disappointment’, led to a 750 name petition.
Echoing reasons given for the closure of the Cheshire Building Society branch, the bank said the number of transactions had dropped by 11% over the last few years. The 1,000 transactions a week were not considered sufficient to avoid the closure.
The closure of the Cheshire followed the merger of the society with Nationwide.
