THIRTY jobs are being created at a new Iceland frozen food shop.

The retailer has announced it is opening a new store at Central Retail Park, off Manchester Road, later this month.

The news will be a welcome boost for Bolton town centre’s retail sector after the recent losses of Comet and Jessops and the forthcoming closure of HMV.

Graham Cooper, Iceland area manager, said: “We are delighted to be opening our new store in Central Retail Park in Bolton. This represents a considerable investment by Iceland Foods and we will be creating 30 new jobs for the area. Our range of frozen and fresh food and groceries will add greatly to the food shopping choice in the Bolton area.”

Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s head of economic development, said: “This is really good news, particularly in the current retail climate.

“The fact that 30 jobs are being created means there will be the opportunity of working with Iceland to secure employment for local people. Iceland is a well-established national brand and is a good addition to the Bolton retail offer.”

The new shop is based in the former Brantano shoe store.

Iceland applied to Bolton Council in December for planning permission for a new shop front displaying its logo, relocate the customer entrance and install security shutters.

The new store will be open weekdays from 8am to 8pm, Saturdays from 8am to 7pm and Sundays and bank holidays from 10am to 4pm. Iceland already has branches in Horwich and Farnworth.

Meanwhile, administrators Deloitte say no date has yet been set for the closure of the HMV shop in Crompton Place. The shop is due to close in the next four weeks and is holding a closing-down sale.

No details have been released about whether any of its 10 staff have been relocated to surviving HMV shops, such as the Trafford centre or Manchester’s Arndale Centre.

The Bolton branch, which has been at Crompton Place since the mid-1980s, was one of an additional 37 stores added to a list of 66 UK stores which are to close.