THERE is a growing sense of optimism among traders in Ringwood as Iceland moves into the town’s former Woolworth’s store on Thursday of next week.

The frozen and chilled food giant will be opening its latest branch in Southampton Road creating 37 new jobs and filling a yawning gap in the shopping landscape.

Jim Stride, the man behind the Ringwood Loyalty Discount Scheme, welcomed the new supermarket to the town.

“There’s a lot of interest in the empty shops and with Iceland opening soon there may be a sense of optimism in Ringwood,” he said.

Iceland area manager Mathew Wilde said: “We’re delighted to be opening our new store in Ringwood. This represents a considerable investment by Iceland Foods and we’ll be creating 37 new jobs for the area.

“Our range of frozen, fresh and grocery will add greatly to the food shopping choice in Ringwood. We will also be providing free home delivery for customers who spend over £25.”

Ringwood Loyalty Discount Voucher Scheme has recently attracted two new members – KL Carpet Upholstery Cleaning and Altrullo Italian restaurant – to the fold, said Mr Stride.

In addition, four new stallholders are selling their wares at the town’s Wednesday street market, two of them directly as a result of the discount scheme.

This month’s voucher is available to download from the Daily Echo website, bournemouthecho.co.uk.

For those without web access 21st Century Business Products has greed to print 300 vouchers for June. They will be available from the Visitor Information Centre in Meeting House Lane or from Naughty Corner at 1 Southampton Road, said Mr Stride.