Planning Approved For New Food Warehouse At Coleraine’s Riverside Regional Centre

Planning permission has been granted this afternoon for a new Food Warehouse supermarket at Coleraine’s Riverside Regional Centre.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant and the prospective tenant, Eamonn Loughrey said:

“On behalf of the applicant company and The Food Warehouse, we welcome the recommendation to approve this application.
The Food Warehouse is a new brand of food offering in Northern Ireland, operated by Iceland. It complements the traditional High Street Iceland stores by providing a wider range of goods and catering for the bulk buyer. There are currently over 800 Iceland stores and 200 Food Warehouse stores across the UK.”

Mr Loughrey emphasised that the existing Iceland store on Railway Road will continue to trade, serving its established customer base. “There is no intention to close or alter the trading of that store,” he said, noting that a legal agreement ensures the town centre branch will remain open for at least five years after the new outlet begins trading.

He also highlighted the economic benefits of the development, which represents a £1.5 million investment in Coleraine, creating 40–50 new retail jobs and up to 30 construction roles. “This application delivers two key benefits,” he said. “It secures the long-term provision of a town centre Iceland store and introduces The Food Warehouse brand to the town.”

During the meeting, Councillor Philip Anderson raised concerns about traffic congestion in and around Riverside Retail Park, stressing that the issue “needs to be looked into as soon as possible” to ensure the area can cope with increased vehicle movements once the new store opens.

Introduced in 2014, The Food Warehouse concept offers a larger, warehouse-style shopping experience. Stores are typically around twice the size of a standard Iceland branch, featuring wide aisles and an extensive range of products, including bulk packs designed to deliver better value for money.

It is understood The Food Warehouse will open next year, based on correspondence earlier this year.