Tesco Metro on Royal Avenue will close its doors within the next year, it has been announced.
In a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesperson for Tesco told Belfast Live that they have taken the "difficult decision" to close the Belfast store as their lease comes to an end.
They added: "Unfortunately we have been unable to find a route to long-term viability for the store, which as you may be aware was also heavily impacted by the Primark fire - while this didn't help, the decision to close is not specifically related to this.
"We expect the store to close when the lease ends in the next 12 months. We do not expect it to close within the next 6 months. I want to reassure you that this is an isolated decision and we will continue to serve customers from our nine other stores in Belfast.
"As well as our existing Belfast stores, we have also secured a new site for a Tesco Express in Belfast City Centre to help us continue to serve our customers.
"Our priority now is to support our colleagues and work with those who wish to find an alternative role in one of our other Belfast stores.
"As a business, we also remain committed to investing in Northern Ireland, with over 9,000 colleagues in 56 stores, and supporting Northern Ireland's food and drink industry. This is an isolated decision and no other stores in Northern Ireland are impacted"
Deputy Mayor of Belfast Paul McCusker shared the announcement on Twitter this afternoon, and said it was "another loss in Belfast City Centre".
