Food chain buys Woolworths site (From This Is Local London)

Food chain buys Woolworths Rayners Lane site

6:28pm Tuesday 13th January 2009 in Where I Live

FROZEN food chain Iceland has purchased the former Woolworths store in Rayners Lane in a deal with the administrators appointed to run the collapsed company writes Sean Marland.

As part of a nationwide move in which the company purchased 51 Woolworths properties, branches in Pinner and Kilburn were snapped up by the frozen food retailers.

In a statement released last week, Nick Canning, marketing director of Iceland, said: “We are confident we can help to support the local community in these towns who have lost a major high street retailer in Woolworths.”

John Oliver, 59, who owns SRS Discount Photo Supplies, which is next door, said: “The administrator came to hand the keys to Iceland the other day. He popped into my shop to buy batteries afterwards. If they do open a store then it will bring a few more people in, which is what this area needs.”

Tuncer Kussan, 32, who owns the Imperial Cafe in Imperial Drive was previously unaware of Iceland’s take over but welcomed the move. He said: “It will be very good for us. We need big stores here in Rayners Lane.”

The area has been suffering more than most from the recent economic downturn. Perere Ranjid, 43, who owns Ajans Food & Wine store in Imperial Drive said: “Everywhere you see small shops in this area struggling. It seems like 50 per cent of shops are closing down.”

News that Nationwide will be shutting their Rayners Lane branch on March 27, is also a worry for the area’s business. Jean Gallagher, 61, from Ovesdon Avenue, started an account at the branch when she moved to the area 18 years ago. She said: “There was a disabled woman in here earlier and she was devastated that it is closing.”

• What do you think would help Rayners Lane? Leave your comments below.