Present Shop to close after 15 years as part of Wellgate upgrade plans

A shop that has been trading at the Wellgate Centre for almost 15 years will shut next month.

Five people will lose their jobs when the Present Shop closes to make way for an overhaul of the centre that will see it add a cinema in an attempt to attract new customers.

Company director Jim Collins said: “It has been trading as a clearance shop for the past year but, following the imminent refurbishment of the second floor, notice has been given by the Wellgate’s landlords to quit by the end of January.”

He said it would be a shame to see the store’s employees go but no alternative premises in the centre had been available. A closing down sale will begin on Friday.

The Wellgate is planning to build a 900-seat multi-screen cinema, family restaurants, cafs and leisure outlets, and it hopes that around 300 jobs will be created in the multi-million-pound development.

The Murraygate entrance will be remodelled and there will also be alterations at the Victoria Road end to incorporate the cinema.

Part of Central Library will be reconfigured to allow the changes, but it is expected to remain open to the public throughout the construction work.