A TOWN centre frozen food store is to close with the loss of up to 15 jobs.

Iceland, in Castle Street, Clitheroe, is to close on September 19 because it can "no longer operate satisfactorily" in the town.

And clothing retailer Mackay's, which has outlets throughout the North of England and Scotland, is believed to be interested in acquiring the prime site.

A spokesman for Iceland, which opened in the town 12 years ago, confirmed that up to 15 full and part-time jobs would be shed.

"We are trying to find jobs for those affected by the closure at other Iceland stores in East Lancashire and are also in discussion with potential purchasers of the site to see if they would be able to retain some of the staff. "East Lancashire is a high density area for our stores and we could no longer operate satisfactorily in Clitheroe. We are very sad to be leaving the town and do so reluctantly," she said.

But the Mayor of Clitheroe, Councillor John McGowan, said he was "concerned" that the redundant shop workers would now have to fork out travel expenses to work in neighbouring towns.

"Even though they are going to be offered jobs at other Iceland stores in East Lancashire, they will now incur travel expenses to work and whether some will be taken on by whoever takes over the store remains to be seen. I am concerned about this situation," he said.

A spokesman for Mackay's was unable to confirm whether the organisation had acquired the site.

"Clitheroe is a town in which we have always been seriously interested, but as far as I am aware we are not involved in any deals or negotiations for a premises there at the moment," he said.

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