A bulk-buy frozen and chilled food store could open in place of a Poundland.
Iceland brand ‘Food Warehouse’ is named in a letter to South Kesteven District Council discussing plans for Unit 3 of the Markham Retail Park in Ryhall Road, Stamford.
Poundland, which occupies Unit 3 and is a neighbour to Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Halfords and Poundstretcher, launched a closing down sale earlier this month.
Iceland’s The Food Warehouse when it opened in Ashford Retail Park, Kent. Photo: Iliffe Media
There had been speculation that Iceland would take its place. The letter makes it clear that the interested party is Food Warehouse, Iceland’s larger-format, warehouse-style store that sell bulk-buy frozen and chilled foods.
A condition of planning permission granted in 2021 by South Kesteven limited the amount of floor space in Unit 3 that can be used for the sale of food and drink.
The recent letter to the council states: “The application is to enable Food Warehouse to take occupation of Unit 3.”
Iceland’s The Food Warehouse when it opened in Ashford Retail Park, Kent. Photo: Iliffe Media
Unit 3 at Markham Retail Park, Ryhall Road, Stamford, which is currently a Poundland store. Image: SKDC
It adds that “Food Warehouse would like a commensurate trading position to Sainsbury’s on the site”.
If granted, the application would enable Food Warehouse to move in and open from 8am to 10pm Mondays to Saturdays, and from 9am to 4pm on Sundays.
The letter, addressed to the head of planning at South Kesteven District Council, concludes: “This application seeks planning permission to vary an existing retail-use condition and hours-of-operation condition to enable Unit 3, Markham Retail Park in Stamford to be occupied by Food Warehouse.”
Poundland underwent reorganisation last year, resulting in the closure of about 200 UK branches. The Stamford branch will close on Sunday, March 29.
Poundland in Stamford is closing. Photo: Iliffe Media
A spokesperson for DTZ Investment, which owns the retail park, told LincsOnline last week: “Following the restructure of Poundland, we are marketing the unit and have received interest in the unit from other occupiers.”
The amendment to the planning condition, which has the reference S25/2316, will be decided by the district council.