Independent cash & carry Aim has opened a second Iceland franchise store in the Republic of Ireland.

Aim opened its first store in Ballyfermot, Dublin, in January and has now added a second in the Finglas area of the city.

"The first store has exceeded budget and the second is already doing well," said Aim managing director Naeem Maniar. "We are in negotiation about a number of other units and would like to open more Iceland stores in the Dublin region."

Iceland closed its seven company-owned Irish stores in 2005.