Norwich-based QD Stores looks for new premises in city
A discount retailer has decided not to reopen its former Norwich flagship store which shut in December 2012 for a revamp that never happened.
QD Stores had a large shop on two levels in St Stephens Street.
The shop was leased from the East of England Co-operative Society which said discussions were under way with other potential occupiers of the building.
The Co-op declined to say who it was talking to. QD Stores said it was looking for another site in Norwich.
Spokesman Peter Muir said QD Stores was committed to Norwich, which it regarded as its home city, and was looking for other suitable premises.
"During negotiations on the lease it was felt not appropriate to remain in St Stephens so we are looking elsewhere," he said.
The company said when a new shop was found, it would redeploy workers from other stores but declined to comment on any recruitment plans.
The QD group has 38 stores and also owns Lathams of Potter Heigham in Norfolk, Buyright of Hadleigh in Suffolk and the Cherry Lane Garden Centre chain which has stores in Doncaster and Wrexham as well as East Anglia.