Dunnes Stores has reversed its decision to shut up shop in Portadown.
The retailer will instead remain as the anchor tenant of the High Street Mall.
There had been fears for the overall long-term future of the Mall itself had Dunnes left.
The closure would have meant the loss of 50 jobs but these are now understood to be safe. It was a loss which Portadown could ill afford in the current economic climate.
The news will come as a huge relief to the town, once dubbed ‘the hub of the north’.
But no explanation has been given as to the reason for the change of heart.
Local politicians had been seeking meetings with the Dunnes Stores team after the bombshell was dropped that the store was to close.
It is not known whether or not the decision to stay was taken as a result of anything that may have been said or if any incentives were given to encourage the store to continue trading in Portadown.
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