A SUPERMARKET in Weymouth town centre is set to close its doors, with shoppers left 'shocked' by the news.
Iceland, based on St Thomas Street, will be closing on September 4, with a large sign placed in the front window confirming the news.
It reads: “Sorry! This store is closing on Saturday, September 4.
“Your nearest Iceland is Weymouth Food Warehouse.”
Prior to the sign being pleased inside the store’s window, staff had confirmed the news to customers.
The closure of the St Thomas Street store will be seen as a major blow to the town centre given it is in a prominent location.
A spokeswoman for Iceland confirmed the store closure but was unable to say how many jobs were at risk or why the store was closing.
The closure would mean that shoppers will either need to go the Food Warehouse at Jubilee Retail Park or visit its store in Dorchester town centre.
Shoppers were left saddened by the news and said the closure will be a 'big blow' to the town centre.
One said: "I was shocked to see the banner in the window after I had heard some rumours in the town and on Facebook about it shutting down.
'It will be really sad to see the store go' - Business leader's shock at Iceland closure
Craig Oakes, president of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, described the news as ‘out of the blue’.
He said: “It’s a long-standing store and a shame to see a big unit go like that in St Thomas Street.
“At the moment, it is a very difficult time for many businesses with the pandemic.
“It will be really sad to see the store go. It’s been there for many years and it will be a shame to see it close.”
Mr Oakes was hopeful that the large store will be replaced with a new business or brand soon, and believed it shouldn’t take too long.
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Citing the number of new shops opening up in the area, Mr Oakes said: “Since the last lockdown, a lot of people have started to come back into the town and seen new shops open up in the area.
“We also heard Peacocks and others say they weren’t going to reopen but reopened anyway.
“The town centre is starting to shine again – before the pandemic we were looking ravaged as a town with empty units but now on St Thomas Street, a lot of those units have been taken.
“That unit is a big one and whoever goes in there with the right service and product could make something of it and do well.”
- Got a story to share or for me to investigate? Email me at michael.taylor@newsquest.co.uk or tweet me at @JournoMikeT
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