A NEW style of store could be set to come to Haddington after licensing chiefs agreed to let it sell alcohol.

Iceland announced its intention to create its The Food Warehouse outlet at a new retail park proposed for the western edge of town.

And they were given the go-ahead in the first instance by East Lothian Licensing Board, which welcomed the move at a meeting last week.

The Food Warehouse is described as the Iceland supermarket chain’s “bigger little brother”.

An agent for the supermarket chain told the licensing board that the proposed new store at Gateside West would be “much more than a bigger Iceland”.

As well as the traditional frozen food aisles associated with the store, the new models have aisles of fresh food, household items and electrical appliances.

However, applying for a licence to sell alcohol from it once opened, he revealed that drink made up just five per cent of goods sold at other similar stores.

The supermarket chain agreed to conditions added to the licence which would ensure CCTV of a quality approved by Police Scotland would be in the store and any alcohol thefts would be reported to police.

Councillor Jane Henderson, who sits on the licensing board, said: “I welcome the investment of Iceland bringing their new format here and I think it will be something that is very good for the whole area.”

A retail park is proposed at the western entrance to the town off the A1 on land previously earmarked for a Sainsbury’s supermarket.

The site, between the A199 and B6471, could become home, subject to planning permission, to three retail stores and two cafes or restaurants.

Aldi, Home Bargains and Costa have all been mooted as possible tenants.

A spokesperson for Iceland said that the park was still in the early stages of development but they hoped to be in place by Christmas next year.

He said: “We hope to open a new The Food Warehouse store here (Haddington) in the final quarter of 2020.”