A major supermarket chain has announced it’s closing a branch nearly a decade after opening. Budget frozen food retailer Iceland has confirmed that its store in Margate will close for good in June. Iceland, which has about 900 stores nationwide, previously closed all its branches on the Channel Islands last year. This year alone, the shutters have come down on Iceland stores in London, Borehamwood, Exeter, and Derby. The next Iceland to go will be in College Square, a shopping centre just by Margate’s Old Town neighbourhood. Staff have been informed that the last day the Iceland store will be open is June 21, according to reports from KentOnline.
The company stated, “We can confirm our Margate Iceland store will close. Our store colleagues have entered into a consultation process and have been offered opportunities at surrounding stores where possible.” This closure is part of a larger trend affecting high street retailers across the UK. In 2024, over 13,000 high street stores closed, as reported by the Centre for Retail Research, amounting to about 37 shops a day. The figure is expected to rise to 17,350 in 2025, with around 14,500 independent retailers anticipated to shut their doors.
Among the hardest-hit major retailers are WH Smith, Morrisons, and GAME, alongside banks such as Lloyds and Halifax. The scars from the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis have been cited as key factors for these closures. As Iceland’s presence on the high street diminishes, the company’s spin-off Food Warehouse stores are flourishing. Launched in 2014, these big-box stores are often located in large retail parks and sell groceries in bulk.
Iceland has opened 11 Food Warehouses and plans to expand this number to 21 by the end of the year. The British Retail Consortium noted in March 2025 that retail parks are becoming increasingly popular for shoppers. Rising car park fees and changes in shopping habits have led to fewer people visiting high streets, opting instead for retail centres.
The closure of the Margate branch follows a string of other closures this year, including stores in Derby on February 22 and Welling on February 1. While the supermarket chain has not confirmed the specific reasons behind these closures, it is essential to understand that retailers often close stores for various reasons, including the end of tenancy agreements or lack of profitability.
Despite the challenges, Iceland is working to expand its footprint further. The Food Warehouse brand, which has seen significant growth, offers a larger selection of products and is often more appealing to a wider range of shoppers. The company is also planning to double its petrol forecourt presence through a new collaboration with forecourt operator EG On the Move. This initiative aims to increase the number of forecourt sites from 11 to 21, with a dedicated Iceland frozen food range to be implemented in 10 EG On the Move locations.
The partnership launched two stores on April 17, 2025, in Barnstaple and Rotherham, both featuring prominent Iceland branding both outside and inside. The exact range of products offered at these forecourt sites will vary by location, but customers can expect to find popular items and exclusive brands such as Harry Ramsden, TGI Fridays, Greggs, and Cathedral City.
Justin Addison, Iceland Foods’ international and partnerships director, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, stating, “We’re proud to be working with EG On the Move to bring Iceland’s much-loved frozen products to even more customers in convenient locations. These 10 new stores are just the start, as we continue to grow our forecourt proposition and reach more people in the places that suit them best.”
As Iceland navigates the turbulent waters of the retail landscape, the closure of the Margate store serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by high street retailers. With the rise of online shopping and shifting consumer habits, the future of traditional retail continues to be uncertain. The chain’s strategy to pivot towards more successful models, such as the Food Warehouse and forecourt partnerships, may prove vital in maintaining its market presence amid the challenges.
The Margate community will soon bid farewell to the Iceland store, which has been a fixture in the area for nearly a decade. As the last day of operation approaches, local residents and employees alike are left pondering the implications of this closure for the high street and the future of retail in their town.
In summary, as Iceland closes its Margate branch, the broader picture reveals a retail sector in flux. With the ongoing closures of high street stores and the shift towards larger retail parks and online shopping, it remains to be seen how chains like Iceland will adapt to the changing landscape and what this means for consumers moving forward.
