A SUPERMARKET chain plans to move from one Aberystwyth retail park to another, after a rival chain’s expansion.

Iceland plans to set up shop in two empty units on the Ystwyth retail park on Park Avenue, after Lidl announced it would be extending its store on the Rheidol retail park which it owns.

Iceland sits next door to Lidl, which bought the freehold of the retail park last year, and were forced to look for alternative premises with Lidl planning to extend into that unit to create a larger store.

Now, Iceland has hatched plans to take over the closed former Poundworld and Peacocks stores on the Ystwyth retail park.

The company has begun the process of applying to Ceredigion council for licenses for both Unit B and C on the retail park so the move can go ahead.

Iceland has previously confirmed to the Cambrian News that they are looking at alternative premises in Aberystwyth so they can relocate, but had not responded to questions on the proposed move at the time of going to press.

It is understood Iceland’s current lease on the Rheidol Retail Park runs out this year, leaving the company having to find new premises.

The Iceland move comes after neighbour Lidl had plans approved to expand its store into next door.

The budget supermarket chain hatched the plans after agreeing an £8m deal for the freehold of the entire retail park.

The current Argos store would remain in place as part of the proposed Lidl development, which will also see front and rear extensions to house the new store, with a new loading bay and elevational changes.

The plans, which were approved by Ceredigion County Council planners under delegated powers last November, will see Lidl expand into the Iceland store, almost doubling the size of the store to 1,300 square metres.