ALTON’S Iceland store re-opened on Thursday following the completion of a £500,000 makeover.

According to an Iceland spokesman, the High Street store has benefited over the past few weeks from the implementation of a completely new layout and design that includes the installation of a new fascia and frontage, digital signage, improved in-store navigation, and new checkouts that are expected to be “quicker and easier to use for customers and staff”.

Customers can also expect the introduction of new product ranges, from frozen and chilled food to fresh fruit and vegetables, food cupboard staples, and beers, wines and spirits.

And Iceland store workers will also enjoy improved working conditions both in the store and behind the scenes.

Since its first ‘Store of the Future’ opened in Clapham in October 2016, Iceland has refitted more than 30 stores across the UK and plans to complete 20 more refurbishments by the end of its current financial year next March.

Neil Hayes, Iceland’s merchandising and format development director, said: “Each of our refitted stores opened to date has created a real buzz, winning praise from our regular customers and attracting new shoppers who had never thought of trying Iceland before.

“The resulting uplifts in customer numbers and sales will ultimately allow us to offer more jobs in our stores and so boost the whole local economy.”

And he added: “Doing work on this scale is only possible if we close the store for a time and I thank all our customers in Alton for their patience while the project has been completed.

“I am sure that they will feel that it has been worth it when they experience the new store, which has the same friendly faces to serve them, all the products they love plus some exciting new additions and, of course, our unique free home delivery service for purchases of more than £20.”

n East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) bought the retail store building for £1.63m in January this year and leases it to Iceland.