Negotiations over future of empty unit in Rushden town centre

Negotiations are taking place over the future of a town centre unit recently vacated by a supermarket chain.

Rushden's Iceland store used to be in Eaton Walk, but the frozen food chain relocated last month and is now trading from the former Store Twenty One building in the High Street.

East Northants Council owns the unit where Iceland used to be and has confirmed negotiations are taking place over what it could become.

A spokesman for East Northants Council (ENC) told the Northants Telegraph: "ENC does still own this site and is currently in negotiations regarding the future of the site.

"Any future plans will be developed as part of the new NNC after 1 April."

ENC bought the site in June 2017, describing it as a 'key strategic site' in the centre of Rushden.

The authority said the purchase of the site, occupied by Wilko's and Iceland at the time, was part of the council’s Enterprising East Northamptonshire initiative to drive economic growth across the district.

Speaking at the time, council leader Steven North said: “This is a win win situation; not only are we reducing the burden on local council taxpayers by securing ongoing rental income, but we’re now well-placed, as landowners, to lead and drive forward projects that will reinvigorate Rushden town centre to ensure that we maximise the opportunities presented by the Rushden Lakes Scheme.

"I’m very keen to ensure that we play a leading role in shaping the future prospects of the district and critical to this will be new ways of working.”

East Northants Council will cease to exist at the end of March and the new North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) will come into existence on April 1, 2021.

The new authority will take over responsibility for the services currently delivered by Wellingborough, Corby, Kettering and East Northants councils and many of the services provided by Northamptonshire County Council.

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