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Islington Tribune - by EMMANUELLA FRANCIS
Published: 16 January 2009

Former Woolworths store in Archway

Frosty welcome as Iceland moves into store Woolworths abandoned

DISGRUNTLED shop owners have been left cold by the news that the former Woolworths store in Archway is to become an Iceland branch.
Traders fear the competition the new Iceland store will bring. Hemal Patel, of Nisa Local, just opposite the former Woolworths store in Junction Road, said: “We are a family-run business so I definitely think a giant like Iceland will have some impact on us.
“We’re all swayed by deals, especially with everyone strapped for cash right now. Even the manager of the Co-operative, who lives above us, wasn’t too happy.”
Mr Patel pointed out that Iceland sells core goods while his shop has a “wider range”.
Iceland’s deals and cut-price products pose the biggest threat to independent shops in Junction Road.
At Yildiz Bakery and Patisserie, another family-run business, Iceland is seen as offering stiffer competition than other supermarkets.
Turgay Kucuk said: “We sell bread and pastries, all things that Iceland sell and can afford to keep cheap.
“I can compete with ten Sainsbury’s but I will have trouble with one Iceland.
“I can’t chase their prices and they can keep lowering them. They should put an Argos there instead, so people who travel to Holloway for that can stay here and keep the street busy.”
Iceland is expected to open its Archway branch in about six weeks. A spokesman said: “We are confident we can help to support the community in these towns who have lost a major high street retailer in Woolworths.”

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