Iceland is planning to shut a much-loved branch, leaving customers dismayed. The frozen food retailer has confirmed its Inverness store in Scotland will permanently close on July 12, following today's closure of its Margate store in Kent.

The company has said that where possible, affected staff members will be offered alternative roles within the business. Still, the news of closures has sparked frustration and sadness among loyal shoppers in recent months.

Reacting online, one local wrote: "Wow, they've been there as long as I can remember. One of the original shops in that area-such a shame."

Another concerned customer added: "This is awful. All the elderly people that use this and Morrisons to do their weekly shops will now suffer once again."

A third user lamented: "Such a shame, I remember when it opened."

The closures in Inverness and Margate follow recent store shutdowns in Borehamwood (Shenley Road) and Exeter (Alphington Road Retail Park), signalling a significant reshaping of Iceland's retail footprint.

However, not all the news is negative. Iceland has also opened new branches, including a city centre store in Derby and a new location at Victoria Chambers on London Road.

These openings are part of the company's broader strategy to modernise and reposition its store portfolio.

Earlier this year, Iceland announced it would open 20 new Iceland and Food Warehouse stores in 2024.

It has also invested heavily in infrastructure, launching a massive 500,000-square-foot distribution centre at Omega Park in Warrington, which opened in partnership with GXO.

The £100 million facility supports around 350 stores across the North West, Welsh border, and Scottish regions.

Iceland's changes come amid wider turbulence in the UK retail sector. Poundland recently confirmed the closure of 68 stores as part of a sweeping restructure, which may also see it shutter two major distribution centres and end its frozen food offerings.

The changes at Poundland could affect over 1,000 jobs, pending court approval.