It has been an iconic spot in the east of the city for decades but the doors have shut for the last time at Belfast's Connswater Shopping Centre.
The question for residents now is what will happen to the site which has been steadily losing customers in recent years as the number of occupied retail units dwindled.
The 52-unit space, which opened in 1983, had just 20 tenants when it closed on Friday, March 21. Its closure leaves a significant gap in the east of the city and BDO NI Partners was appointed as the Fixed Charge Receivers on March 7.
READ MORE: The slow decline of the once thriving Connswater Shopping Centre
READ MORE: Sinn Féin warns against "expectations" of financial support for Connswater
A spokesperson said they will continue to work with tenants - which included The Works, Savers, charities and community groups - to help them remove stock along with fixtures and fittings on the coming week.
It has been described as an "evolving situation" and the future for the site is unknown but the intention is for it to be put up for sale.
"Connswater Shopping Centre has played an important role in the East Belfast community, however, despite best efforts to sustain the centre, the costs of keeping it open were no longer feasible," a spokesperson for BDO NI said.
"On BDO’s appointment as the Fixed Charge Receivers, on 7th March, we immediately sought to inform the tenants and other organisations based in the centre, of the need for closure. Although the centre will close to the public today, we will be continuing to work with the tenants over the next few weeks to help them remove stock along with fixtures and fittings, and to give them additional time to make alternative arrangements. Once this has been completed, we will then move to market the site for sale.
"We can confirm that we will also be honouring the annual booking of the Curry’s funfair which will take place between 7th – 29th April, which will be based in the centre’s car park.
"As this is an evolving situation, we will continue to engage with all key stakeholders and will provide further updates as matters progress."
The Range will remain open as will the retail park.
Jonathan McAlpin, Chief Executive, East Belfast Enterprise, said the closure of Connswater "highlights the lack of and need for prime, sustainable, and fit for purpose business premises in East Belfast".
"For decades, Connswater has been more than just a shopping centre — it has been an institution, a vital hub for local businesses, and a key source of employment. Its loss leaves a significant gap in our community, both economically and socially," he said.
"Micro and small businesses are the backbone of East Belfast’s economy, and they now face an urgent need for affordable workspace units, office and retail space, to continue operating.
"East Belfast Enterprise has responded to the news of Connswater’s closure by offering immediate practical business advice, mentoring, support and temporary accommodation.
"However what is needed is a long term solution, hence we call on the Northern Ireland Executive to act swiftly, to assist businesses, without any visible and viable options for continuing, and create an opportunity in the heart of East Belfast at Connswater for new businesses to start and grow, creating new employment and providing local services.
"There is an opportunity here to create a vibrant hub of local businesses, tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit that we see in East Belfast and that is evident in spaces like our own at City East. Like Portview, Banana Block and the new businesses that are making an impact locally such as Flout Pizza, Boundary and Bullhouse East breweries.
"The closure of Connswater highlights the lack of and need for prime, sustainable, and fit for purpose business premises in East Belfast, and I would appeal to policymakers to create a capital fund and prioritise the development of new, accessible workspaces that will allow entrepreneurs, independent retailers, and startups to thrive and contribute to the local economy.
"East Belfast has always been a resilient and enterprising community. With the right support, we can collectively turn this dire situation into an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen our business landscape.
"I would urge the government to step up and invest in the immediate and longer term, for the survival and future of local enterprise, and partner with charities like our own to develop new workspace units and make these available for local businesses now — before, for some, it’s too late."
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