It’s all set for battle of the supermarkets as a budget food store eyes up space at a retail park already featuring two of the country’s biggest grocery retailers.

Farmfoods could open at Neats Court Retail Park in Queenborough just yards away from Iceland and Morrisons after it submitted plans to Swale council.

Plans for a “new and improved” Aldi store were also given the go ahead earlier this year and it will be built opposite the retail park – meaning there could be unprecedented competition between the four rivals, if Farmfoods’ application is approved.

According to the proposal, Farmfoods intends to open in the unit that is being used by Homeplus Furniture on a temporary basis.

Farmfoods specialises in the sale of frozen foods but it does also sell other dry, packeted, and tinned products, and a small range of ambient and fresh lines. It does not sell alcohol or cigarettes.

The business, which was founded in 1954 and is based in Scotland, operates throughout the country with stores from the north of Scotland down to Cornwall and Dover.

The nearest Farmfoods store to Neats Court is in the Thamesgate Centre, Gravesend. There are also stores in Ashford and Ramsgate.

So far, the application has received one letter of support from a Sheerness resident, and no objections.

The resident said: “I think this will be a great asset for the Isle of Sheppey as it will fetch more people on the Island. Also, this would be brilliant as it gives people another place to do a frozen shop other than Iceland.”

Cllr Cameron Beart, who represents Queenborough and Halfway, said he welcomed the news of potentially more jobs being created on the Island.

He added: “Neats Court has proven time and again that it is a successful job creator for local people and will continue to be for the future.

“I understand concerns have been raised about lack of variety and they are valid, but these big companies do their homework and see potential in growing their market and customer base on the Island.

“The council, and even the park owner, has little control over which retailers choose to set their sights on our wonderful Island but as we come out of this pandemic, the fact that any new retailers are investing here is a positive outlook.”

However Phil Crowder, chairman of the Sheerness Town Team, said the move would be “another nail in the the coffin” for the town centre.

He said: “I would be very disappointed if the application for another out-of-town supermarket is approved by Swale Borough Council as this will be another nail in the coffin for Sheerness High Street.

“Perhaps we could have a Blacksmiths open on the High Street so we could at least produce all the coffin nails locally.”

He added: “I am pleased the council are spending money on making the place look better, but fear without other changes to things like parking and disabled access it may be too little, too late.”

To view or comment on the plans, go to swale.gov.uk/planningsearch and use the reference 21/503070/FULL.

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