The news, which was shared with the remaining 20 commercial tenants only hours before a public statement, has been described as a “sad day for East Belfast” by local MP Gavin Robinson.

One tenant, a senior manager of a charity operating within the centre, explained that this closure is a “huge, huge shock”. She criticised the handling of the communication, stating, “To find out, as a tenant, that the very swift closure of the centre is expected on the same day that they made a public announcement is hugely disappointing”. The charity has invested 20 thousand pounds in creating a safe and welcoming space, and the sudden need to relocate poses significant financial challenges.

The Strand Arts Centre, which temporarily relocated to Connswater during renovations, also voiced its concerns. In an Instagram post, they stated, “Like many of you, we only found out this morning that the landlord plans to close Connswater in just two weeks’ time. We’ve invested a great deal of time and money in establishing ourselves at Connswater and we’re devastated by the news”.

A spokeswoman for Connswater Shopping Centre attributed the closure to the evolving retail landscape, loss of anchor tenants, and challenging market conditions. “After much consideration of different options, we have now appointed BDO as fixed charge receivers for the centre,” she said.

The centre, which opened in 1983, has been a staple in the community, and the management expressed gratitude to loyal customers and tenants for their support over the years.

As the closure date approaches, tenants are left with the logistical and financial implications of the sudden announcement. As the charity tenant further explained, “We need to relocate our premises, our office staff. All of our official registered addresses are registered to Connswater — it is a huge bureaucratic and logistical issue to deal with”.