MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Iceland Foods to open first UK high street store in the Falklands in December

Iceland Foods operates more than 950 stores in the United Kingdom, including its The Food Warehouse format.

British frozen food chain Iceland Foods announced Thursday that it has completed a deal to open a store in Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, in what the company describes as the first UK high street retail brand to establish itself in the archipelago.

The outlet, at K4, Ross Road East, will open in early December in partnership with local retailer Kelper Stores Ltd, part of the Fortuna group, a family business with a long presence in the islands. According to the company, the store will carry its own-label frozen range alongside brands with which it holds exclusive agreements.

The announcement describes the arrangement in two different ways: the company refers to a standalone store, while the head of the local partner describes it as the first franchise store in Stanley.

Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods, framed the opening in political terms, saying the company is “proud to be backing Britain” with the move, and said he would travel to the islands for the opening. James Wallace, managing director of Fortuna, said the firm is “committed to investing in the community.” Sarah Clarke, general manager of Kelper Stores, called it “a major milestone for the Falklands” and said it would broaden the range of products available to local shoppers.

Iceland Foods operates more than 950 stores in the United Kingdom, including its The Food Warehouse format.

The announcement comes during a week of rising tension over the archipelago. Argentina's government filed a criminal complaint on Monday against five companies linked to the Sea Lion oil project and on Tuesday raised to 60 the number of individuals and companies subject to administrative proceedings over hydrocarbon activity without Argentine authorization.

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons his government would be “relentless” in defending the islanders' right to choose to be British. The company did not link its announcement to those events.