Iceland Food Warehouse given thumbs up to open in former Carpetright store

Supermarket chain Iceland will be allowed to adapt a unit at Caerphilly’s Gallagher Retail Park for a new Food Warehouse store.

Caerphilly Council’s planning committee lifted restrictions on the building, previously occupied by Carpetright, to allow the sale of food and “comparison goods” – typically higher value items bought infrequently, like fridges and freezers.

In an unconnected application, Gallagher Developments Caerphilly Ltd has put forward similar plans for the unit currently occupied by discount shop What!

According to planning documents, the company “will soon be vacating the
premises” and landlords Gallagher Developments Caerphilly want to be able to attract food retailers – with interest already expressed.

Case officer Lorna Berrow told the committee both applications concerned proposals to vary the type of goods which could be sold in the units.

In both cases, the council had considered any potential knock-on effects the proposals could have on Caerphilly town centre – the reason for the original planning restriction on food sales.

Ms Berrow said planning officers were “satisfied” each applicant had “suitably” provided evidence the town centre would not be harmed – and added Iceland intended to retain its store on Cardiff Road, in addition to the proposed Food Warehouse.

Committee members, meeting on Wednesday November 12, voted unanimously on to approve each application.