ICELAND supermarket is on its way, proclaimed a banner on the former Woolworths building in Great Malvern this week.

The news will be greeted with enthusiasm by job hunters as the company is now recruiting staff to work at the Church Street store, which will open in August.

It is anticipated it could give the town back the 20 jobs made redundant when Woolies closed for good in January.

The supermarket chain took on 51 former Woolworths buildings after the high street favourite announced it was going into administration leaving 20 full and part-time staff without a job. Malvern Hills district councillors for the town-centre Priory ward welcomed the news the big-name retailer would definitely be occupying the prominent position.

Councillor Ralph Madden, deputy leader of the council, said: “It’s a good thing that we have got a major group in the town to replace Woolworths, that they’re now recruiting, and that the premises are not left empty.”

The views were echoed by fellow ward councillor Roger Hall-Jones who said: “I think it’s important that a big shop and a big frontage like that is re-opened for business as quickly as possible.

“That’s the critical message.”

Anthony Collis, town centre co-ordinator, said: “It is something to look forward to because obviously we don’t want to have that space unoccupied for any longer than necessary. It is nice to feel that a company is prepared to invest in Malvern in these difficult times.”

Mr Collis believes the store will provide a similar number of jobs to the 20 that were lost when Woolworths shut its doors for the final time.

Anyone hoping to find employment with the frozen food specialists is advised to visit iceland.co.uk/careers.