OPTIMISM is growing among traders in a Hampshire town as Iceland moves into a former Woolworths store creating 37 new jobs.

The frozen and chilled food giant will be opening its latest branch in Ringwood next Thursday filling a yawning gap in the shopping landscape.

It follows the announcement of a new look planned for the area around the store in Southampton Road, Meeting House Lane, the Furlong car park and part of The Close.

The proposals, drawn up in partnership by Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council, include a new square for the northern end of Southampton Road, with new paving and street furniture.

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.”

Jim Stride, the man behind a loyalty discount scheme to encourage more shoppers to the town, welcomed the new supermarket.

“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.

The Ringwood Loyalty Discount Voucher Scheme has recently attracted two new members – KL Carpet Upholstery Cleaning and Altrullo Italian restaurant.

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

It emerged last month that the former boss of Woolworth’s planned to buy back its vacant stores and create a similar chain. It could breathe new life into vacant stores in Eastleigh, Romsey, Bitterne, Woolston, Shirley, Gosport, Fareham, Totton and Andover.