Out-of-town stores like planned Iceland threaten other shops, says councillor

The chair of Douglas Council's Environmental Services Committee says the local authority objected to Iceland's new Braddan store because it would threaten shops elsewhere.

Councillor Falk Horning issued a statement today after it was revealed the council had lodged an objection to a planning application for a Food Warehouse store on the Spring Valley Industrial Estate in Braddan.

He says the council 'fully supports' new retail opportunities in the right place. 

But he says if people buy from stores in industrial areas, footfall in town and city centres will drop and decrease viability of other shops.