The beleaguered Connswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast. Fears have been voiced over its future viability after this latest blow

Fears for the future of the Connswater Shopping Centre deepened last night after it was revealed that Dunnes Stores is to close its outlet in the troubled complex.

It's the second hammer blow for the east Belfast shopping centre, coming just a few weeks after Tesco announced it was closing its Connswater store at the end of April, as part of a major restructuring by the UK grocery chain.

East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long said she is seeking an urgent meeting with Dunnes management. In a statement, Mrs Long said news of the closure was another setback for the centre.

"This is undoubtedly another blow for Connswater, coming so soon after Tesco also said it would be leaving," she said.

"In the wake of that announcement, I met with management of Tesco to seek assurances over the future of workers there.

"I will seek to do the same with Dunnes to make sure the company will offer them alternative roles where possible.

"The primary concern in this process must be the welfare of Dunnes employees - who may lose their jobs if they are not redeployed to other stores.

"I will also work with my Alliance colleague, Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry, and his department, to make certain assistance is given to everyone affected."

East Belfast councillor Dr John Kyle, of the Progressive Unionist Party, said Dunnes leaving Connswater would represent a major blow to the centre.

But he added that the exit could also have serious consequences for the area as a whole.

"This is a very worrying development," he said.

"Connswater Shopping Centre is an important retail, commercial and social location in east Belfast.

"If a replacement anchor tenant cannot be quickly found to take up the space left vacant by a Dunnes pullout, that could place a question mark over the long-term viability of the centre, with a very negative impact for the area as a whole."

DUP councillor Gavin Robinson said: "This is disheartening news - especially coming so soon after the Tesco announcement.

"There will clearly be issues for staff, and I will be taking up the issue with Dunnes as a matter of urgency.

"It's important that politicians give as much support as possible at this time, not only because of the staff who will be affected, but also to ensure the long-term future viability of Connswater."

No-one at Dunnes Stores in Connswater was available for comment.

Located just off east Belfast's Newtownards Road, Connswater is home to Boots, Poundstretcher, Thomas Cook and Specsavers.

Factfile

Connswater Shopping Centre was built in east Belfast, with work starting in 1983, making it one of Northern Ireland's oldest shopping centres. It was owned by Killultagh Estates, which posted a £27m loss up to the year ending March 31, 2014 in its most recent accounts. Connswater was sold for £31.5m to a global investment fund called Fortress.

Belfast Telegraph