{"id":23751,"date":"2025-03-14T15:14:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T14:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=23751"},"modified":"2025-03-14T15:14:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T14:14:36","slug":"connswater-creatives-community-organisations-condemn-sudden-shopping-centre-closure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2025\/03\/connswater-creatives-community-organisations-condemn-sudden-shopping-centre-closure\/","title":{"rendered":"Connswater Creatives & Community Organisations Condemn Sudden Shopping Centre Closure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Statement from the Connswater Creatives & Community Organisations<\/b><\/p>\n

The abrupt decision to close Connswater Shopping Centre with just two weeks’ notice has left multiple community, arts, and charitable organisations facing immediate displacement and severe operational and financial challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The closure, set for Friday 21 March 2025, was announced without prior consultation or consideration for the impact on local organisations and service users, <\/span>who are often generally vulnerable and\/or with high needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The organisations affected, including Arts Care, Open Arts, Fighting Words NI, Strand Arts Centre, Platform Arts, Home-Start and the Men\u2019s Shed have been integral in revitalising the centre as a community and creative hub, providing vital arts, education, mental health, and disability services. The sudden closure will result in disruptions to essential programmes, financial losses exceeding \u00a3200,000, and the loss of a safe, accessible space for local residents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Failure to Consult and Lack of Transparency<\/b><\/p>\n

The closure has come as a shock to tenants who had long-term investment plans based on assurances from Connswater Shopping Centre\u2019s management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite organisations collectively investing in their units, and despite previous expectations that the centre would continue operating for at least another year, the closure was announced on 7 March 2025 with a demand for all tenants to vacate by 21 March 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

There has been no meaningful engagement from the receivers BDO or managing agents CBRE, to explore alternative solutions or to provide support for the organisations affected. Many of the tenants are charities, non-profits, and grassroots community organisations that do not have the financial reserves to relocate at short notice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This lack of communication and engagement has led to widespread disruption and uncertainty for organisations, staff, volunteers, and service users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Severe Impact on Community and Arts Programmes<\/b><\/p>\n

The closure of Connswater Shopping Centre will have far-reaching consequences for the local community, particularly for the elderly, disabled people, young people, and vulnerable groups who regularly use the space.<\/span><\/p>\n