A SUPERMARKET chain has announced it is to open one of its largest stores in Bradford.

Nearly double the size of an average store, the Food Warehouse at Manningham Retail Park, Manningham Lane, will be two times the size of a professional football pitch.

Last month, the Telegraph & Argus reported that Iceland Foods Ltd had lodged an application with Bradford Council to alter the former Toys R Us unit the retail park so it could be brought back into use as a supermarket.

New planning documents - for the installation of new shopfronts, doors and a canopy extension - have revealed the new supermarket will be the Iceland sub-brand Food Warehouse.

They show a chocolate factory and sweet shop area, as well as a section devoted to Slimming World.

The brand is described as “Iceland’s bigger little brother”, offering exclusive products, a bigger choice in food and homeware, plus bigger packs and deals.

The opening of the store will lead to the creation of up to 30 new jobs, the company confirmed.

A JD Gyms state-of-the-art ‘megagym’ is now the only business at the retail park after the Toys R US store closed earlier this year when the company went into administration.

Other retailers over the years have included the Dreams bed company, Jollyes pet shop and the Brantano shoe shop.

Other Iceland stores in Bradford include branches in Tong and Thornbury, however the nearest Food Warehouse store is in Kirkstall, Leeds.

Managing Director Richard Walker said: “The Food Warehouse in Bradford is one of our largest stores yet, and we’re delighted to announce its arrival to the area. "The extra space will ensure that we are offering our customers even greater choice and value by providing added bulk-buy options alongside our frozen, fresh and chilled foods.

“As well as opening our doors to the people of Bradford in October, we’re looking for exceptional candidates to join us across a number of roles in the new store. It’s an exciting time to join The Food Warehouse as we rapidly expand our business across the UK.”

Earlier this year, Mr Walker, managing director of the frozen food chain and son of founder and chairman Sir Malcolm Walker, said the chain had “active and aggressive” plans for new stores to grow its Food Warehouse arm.

He said the firm was looking at all the “opportunities out there”.

The supermarket already has 66 stores under its fledgling Food Warehouse brand, which combines a cash-and-carry format and its more traditional Iceland style, and Mr Walker said it was planning to add at least another 30 each year.

First launched in 2014, the Food Warehouse stores – largely based in retail parks – are around three times the size of traditional Iceland outlets.

The opening of the store has been welcomed.

Val Summerscales, of the Bradford Chamber of Trade, said it could encourage others to the retail park.