Mayor Dave - New Iceland Store Continues Regeneration of 'Vibrant Shopping Hub'

Mayor Dave Hodgson was on hand yesterday to welcome shoppers to the opening of a brand new Iceland Store at the Church Lane District Centre in Bedford, continuing the dramatic transformation the centre has undergone in recent years.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "It was great to see so many people eager to shop in the new Iceland store, which is another important element of the transformation of this site. The new store, whose staff members are nearly all Bedford Borough residents, provides further jobs and economic growth in addition to increased choice for shoppers in this part of Bedford.'

"With improvements to the rear car parking behind the medical centre still to come, the successful regeneration of this formerly notorious parade as a vibrant shopping hub for the local community continues."

In addition to improvements to the car parking facilities available to the rear of the medical centre, the continuation of the Church Lane Centre redevelopment will also include a refurbished community centre. The car park works, which will take place this autumn, will involve resurfacing and other improvements including new dropped kerbs, which will enable shoppers to wheel their shopping to their car.

You can see an album of photos taken on the morning of the store's opening on Mayor Dave's Facebook page