FOOD giant Iceland today admitted it WILL close its Port Glasgow town centre store - just two days after denying there were any plans to do so.

The belated confirmation came after the Telegraph told how ten members of staff had been informed that the Church Street shop would shut.

This came after a 'To Let' sign was erected at the premises.

Iceland bosses yesterday blamed the owner of the property for the decision exit by the end of the year.

Local community councillors are now set to write to the company following what is described as a 'major blow' to the town centre.

Port Glasgow West Community Council secretary Tommy Rodger said: "This is very, very concerning for us. For a number of years the policy in Port Glasgow has been to move the elderly and disabled people to the high rise flats in Port Glasgow.

"It will now be very difficult for them to go shopping in the town centre. They will need to walk back from the retail park with shopping.

"The people of Port Glasgow are very worried about the impact on the town centre. We are about to lose our last bank and we have already lost the Spar. 

"We are part of the Port Glasgow Town Centre Regeneration Forum and have worked hard to encourage people to come in and shop here. Now they are more likely to by pass the town centre and head straight for the retail park."

Iceland also has a Food Warehouse store in the retail park.

Staff were told by bosses the Church Street store would be closing with some offered temporary seasonal contracts at the Greenock branch later in the year.

Alarm bells rang in the town when a 'To Let' sign went above the store with landlord marketing the 831.73 square metre retail premises for £30,000 a year.

But despite this, when contacted the Tele earlier this week Iceland said they had no current plans to close the store.

Iceland spokesperson said today: "We can confirm that Iceland Port Glasgow will be closing at the end of the year due to a decision by the landlord. Customers will be able to continue shopping the full Iceland range in-store and online at our The Food Warehouse store at Gallagher Retail Park nearby."