The Wellgate Centre has been dealt a massive blow with the news that flagship store Argos is set to pull out of the centre in the summer.
Argos confirmed to The Courier that it will not be renewing the lease on its store in Wellgate and will close its doors on Friday, July 20.
The move will be seen as yet another dagger to the heart of the centre, which has lost several major outlets over the past few years, including Woolworths, fashion store MK One, Knights Jewellers, Adams and Rosebys and last year TJ Hughes.
There are also several vacant units in the food court, although a substantial majority of the centre’s shops are let.
A spokesman for Argos said the company would not reveal how many staff are affected but stressed it is doing all it can to identify alternative employment for affected employees.
The Wellgate management meanwhile said they were negotiating with Argos to reconsider.
The Argos spokesman said: ”Customers can shop at nearby Argos at Overgate Centre in Dundee, less than half a mile away.”
The spokesman added: ”Argos is continuing to invest in the refurbishment of its store network through an ongoing programme and more than 300 stores have been refurbished, providing an improved retail environment for customers.”
The spokesman also confirmed that the Wellgate store is the only one of its outlets in Tayside and Fife to be affected.
Wellgate Centre commercial manager Marion Crerar said: ”We are committed to maintaining an attractive retail offer for our customers and are exploring options with Argos to retain their presence in the centre.
”We hope to announce new tenants in the near future.”