PLANS to divide the Hexham town centre building currently occupied by Iceland into two retail units have been approved.

It was announced last week that the frozen goods supermarket will close its store on Fore Street on April 22.

In September last year, the property's landlord had submitted a planning application to Northumberland County Council seeking permission to subdivide the property into two retail units.

The application was granted by Northumberland County Council this week.

READ MORE: 'It comes as a concern' - Mayor of Hexham on Iceland's closure

A design and access statement submitted alongside the application said: "The property, currently occupied by Iceland, comprised at one time two separate buildings of different periods, one two-storied (17 Fore Street) and one three-storied (19 & 21 Fore Street).

"The overall floor area of the property is considered by the landlord’s letting agents to be quite large by today’s standards - particularly in consideration of the changing market demand for retail premises on the High Street due to the trend towards online shopping.

"Subsequently, whenever Iceland vacates the property, the landlord would like to convert the property back into two retail shops, as this would seem to give the best chance of finding new tenants for the available floor area."

It added: "The proposal is beneficial as the creation of two retail units from one, will increase the retail offer for shoppers in the town centre."

A separate shop entrance for No.19-21 Fore Street will be created, plans show.