Major procuring centre to shut inside hours after 40 years ‘regardless of finest efforts’
An iconic Belfast shopping centre that was once a bustling shopping destination is closing its doors after more than 40 years of serving the community despite ‘best efforts’ to save it
The iconic Connswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast is closing its doors on March 21 after more than 40 years serving the community.
The centre first opened in 1983 and was once a bustling shopping hub, but has now told its remaining 20 tenants – including Boots, New Look, Poundland and Claire’s Accessories – to vacate.
One X user was particularly sad to see the centre closing, saying: “Remember my nanny and pops buying me gravy rings from a wee stand when I went there with them, I’d never had them hot and freshly made before. Good memories.”
Connswater’s footfall has been gradually declining due to challenging retail conditions and the departure of major stores, resulting in receivership earlier this month and its closure.
In the adjacent retail park, The Range and Lidl will remain.
The receivers are considering marketing the Connswater site for sale alongside other potential uses.
BDO NI Partners has been appointed as fixed charge receivers.
A spokesperson for BDO NI told BBC News that “despite best efforts to sustain the centre, the costs of keeping it open were no longer feasible”.
It said it would help tenants remove stock over the coming weeks and give them additional time to make other arrangements if needed.
The spokesperson added: “Once this has been completed, we will then move to market the site for sale.”
Poundland will close its shop in the centre for the final time this evening.
The budget retailer halved its prices to clear its remaining stock, but stated the decision to close was unavoidable.
This closure follows a string of shutdowns by Poundland at the end of last year, when 13 locations shut over three months.
The bargain chain is set to be sold, sparking fears for its high street branches.
The Star reported that health and beauty retailer Superdrug is set to open 25 new stores. Just days after fellow giants Screwfix and Waitrose announced their returns – and with a potential return of Topshop seemingly on the cards – Superdrug’s bosses have confirmed that they will be expanding their store portfolio throughout the UK.
Having seen a whopping 8% increase in customers coming through its doors in January, the parent company – AS Watson – seems to be looking to capitalise on the positive mood, with outgoing property director Nigel Duxbury stating that they want ton “elevate” the customer experience. Read the full story here.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .
