Shoppers have welcomed plans for a long-empty store to be taken on by a supermarket giant, creating 40 jobs.

Iceland has unveiled proposals to set up shop in the former Argos unit at Ashford Retail Park in Sevington.

If its application is approved, the site would become ‘The Food Warehouse’, one of the chain's larger style shops.

Ten full-time jobs and 30 part-time positions would be created.

Argos left the retail park in August last year as part of the firm's plans to reduce the number of standalone shops.

The unit has sat empty since and Argos now operates from inside Sainsbury’s in Simone Weil Avenue.

The move followed the closure of the town centre Argos in New Rents in 2018.

Currently, there is an Iceland store in Ashford High Street and a freezer section inside The Range – the former John Lewis – in Fougeres Way.

Speaking this week, shopper Valentine Doldan welcomed the news.

“If it opens, this [Iceland] will be a lot bigger than the one in town,” he said.

“They do really good deals in Iceland.

“I’d definitely choose to shop here. It’s a shame that Argos had to go but it’s better than it being left empty.”

Mel Jacobs was visiting Sevington from Maidstone on Tuesday and said the only possible problem with Iceland opening could be more traffic on an already busy industrial estate.

“I think Iceland would be quite good there – it’s horrible when units are empty and shops close,” she said.

“The only thing is it’s quite busy already over here so there would be more traffic, and parking could be harder.

“I know it’s Christmas but it’s chock-a-block already.

“Where I live in Maidstone near Junction 7, it's great to have all the shops but the infrastructure can’t cope, so if you’ve still got the same little road with all that extra traffic, parking and access could be a problem.”

Ros Keep says the location for the supermarket will be better for customer parking.

Stacey, who would only give her first name, agreed the location would be much easier for people to get to than the one in the town centre.

“I assume it will be like the big one in Dover so I think it will be a really good thing to have,” she said.

Stacey agreed traffic would be heavier if Iceland opened, but says it is always busy at the retail estate, which has been a lot easier to get in and out of since the new four-way traffic light system replaced the former A2070 roundabout.

She added: “I think it definitely would be useful and I think it’s a better site. Unfortunately, town is just not easy and it’s too expensive.”

Other shops at the retail park include TK Maxx, Smyths Toys, Boots, Costa, Greggs, B&M, DFS, Tapi Carpets, Dunelm, Dreams and Hobby Craft.

The application was submitted this month. It is not known when a decision will be made.

Iceland was contacted for comment.