Iceland is set to open a store in the Falkland Islands, which it claims will be a first for a UK high street brand. The new store is scheduled to open in early December and will stock a range of own-brand Iceland frozen food, alongside popular brands such as Cathedral City, MyProtein and TGI Fridays.
Iceland's 'first' in the Falklands
The move follows Iceland boss Lord Richard Walker's expression of interest last week in opening a store in the Falklands. The executive chairman is set to visit the overseas territory to open the store himself, against the backdrop of a heightening row over the islands' sovereignty amid Argentine claims.
Mr Walker said: "Iceland Foods has a proud history of 'firsts' and we are proud to be backing Britain by becoming the first UK high street retailer to open in the Falkland Islands. The Falklands are a special part of the British family and it's always been an ambition of mine to support it, so being able to bring Iceland to Stanley is a huge moment for us."
He added: "We've built our business around giving customers great quality and value, and we're proud to bring the power of frozen to the Islands. This is an important moment for the business and our international aspirations. I will personally be visiting the Falklands to officially open the store and I looking forward to welcoming our new customers through the door."
Partnership with local retailer
The new store will open on Ross Road East in the capital Stanley in partnership with local retailer Kelper Stores, part of the Fortuna group.
James Wallace, Managing Director at Fortuna, said: "Fortuna as a local family-owned business is committed to investing in the community. We are delighted to be working with Iceland in delivering a partnership that will directly benefit the people of the Falkland Islands."
Sarah Clarke, General Manager of Kelper Stores Ltd, said: "This is a major milestone for the Falklands, and we're excited to be working with Iceland to bring the first ever franchise store to Stanley. Our customers will enjoy a wide product range and better value for money as a result."
Sovereignty row reignited
Argentinian President Javier Milei reopened the row over the ownership of the territory last week, when he said "we need to recover" the islands. The UK expelled an Argentine invasion force from the Falklands in a brief and bitter war fought in 1982.
In a televised address, Milei said: "The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory. The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid."
In response, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband wrote: "The Islands are British and will remain so because that is the overwhelming position of the islanders."
Argentina's footballers also sparked a row during the recent World Cup after waving a banner claiming the islands belonged to their country following their semi-final defeat of England.
