A SUPERSTORE has confirmed it has bought the former Woolworths site in Dovercourt.

After weeks of speculation, Iceland has said it is planning to open a store on the High Street site of the defunct retailer, in September.

Councillor Steven Henderson, who spoke out about his fears that the town centre could be finished if Woolworths were to close, said the arrival of the food store was welcome news.

He said: “I think any large retail company, such as Iceland, that comes into the town, selling products that the town doesn’t have, is going to be a good thing.

“Lets hope it succeeds and stays, and entices other people to the town. Once one comes, hopefully others will come too.

“Then the whole town can benefit.”

Garry Calver, Tendring District ward councillor for the town centre, said: “Our town centre has a wide range of competitive and friendly businesses that will all benefit from Iceland’s presence in the High Street. This is very good news indeed.”

Residents, business owners and councillors have complained about the amount of empty and boarded-up buildings in the town’s High Street, and calls have been made to renovate the area.

Lesley Pollard, joint chairman of the Harwich and Dovercourt Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to bits someone is going in there, and we are glad it is Iceland.

“If it stops people going out of the town to shop, it is good.

“We are quite pleased. We have got to be postive.”

Iceland has also taken over the former Woolworths building in Braintree, which is also due to open in September.

There are still no confirmed plans for the former Woolies stores in Clacton, Walton and Colchester.