The closure of a supermarket’s Watford branch has been described as a “shame” as some worry about the unit’s future.

Confirmation that Iceland in The Parade, Watford, will close permanently from 4pm on Saturday, October 14, was met with disappointment in the town.

With Watford’s Wilko, in the High Street, also getting a closure date this week the news sparked fears over the future of the town centre.

Despite the latest blow, Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: “We remain confident in Watford's appeal and investor enthusiasm for our town centre", as the council prepares to support anyone at risk of losing their jobs.

Former Iceland staff member Daren Carpenter, 53, said that despite working at several Iceland branches around London and Watford between 1989 and 2008 the location was “the best branch I worked in by far”.

“It was full of characters, staff and customers alike,” he added. “It’s such a shame after all these years its closing.

“The general feeling is that the building will be turned into yet another concrete jungle of flats.”

Watford Observer: Iceland, The Parade, Watford.Iceland, The Parade, Watford. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

A current staff member told the Watford Observer they were “quite disappointed” to receive confirmation of the closure.

“I’m more disappointed for the customers in the sense of for the last couple of years we’ve heard ‘it’s closing’, but now it’s actually happening it’s reality,” they said, adding that it would be particularly hard for some regular customers.

Customers themselves shared memories of the store and fears over its future. Many said they had already expected it to shut soon after the smaller Iceland location inside The Range in Watford Arches Retail Park opened or worried about the number of recent closures and the possibility the unit could become homes.

Watford Observer: Iceland, The Parade, Watford.Iceland, The Parade, Watford. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

Landlord Watford Parade (Gibraltar) Ltd's plans to build 147 flats in the building, which also includes nightclub Pryzm and other businesses, were refused in July 2022.

Watford's mayor said: “While we are aware of Watford Parade (Gibraltar) Ltd's intentions for this unit, we cannot speculate on the future of the site or Iceland's presence in Watford.”

The borough Council and Watford Town Centre BID both confirmed that they were preparing to put support in place for any staff impacted by potential redundancies.

They also highlighted that, despite recent closures, several businesses opening recently have shown the strength of the local economy — which maintains "lower-than-average vacancy rates”.

Watford Observer: Iceland, The Parade, Watford.Iceland, The Parade, Watford. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

A BID spokesperson added that there is “plenty of movement ongoing behind the scenes with investors and the town’s units”.

Iceland has been contacted for comment.