The Shoprite supermarket and Subway in Chester Street will close this Saturday, April 28.

The news, announced this morning by owner Isle of Man Enterprises, comes suddenly for staff and customers, but managers said that all employees would be offered redeployment in another one of Shoprite locations and the Subway store will also be relocated.

Chief executive Andrew Thomas said: ’Our employees at Chester Street have continued to work tirelessly to serve our customers, despite so many issues outside of their - and our - control, that have negatively impacted the performance of this store.

’We are very grateful for their efforts and their contribution and commitment to our customers.’

In his statement Mr Thomas went on to criticise the ’lack of proactive investment in the fabric of the centre, the car park and the wider centre during the time that we have held the lease’

The board of Isle of Man Enterprises also noted that due to the constraints on government budgets, it was felt unlikely to change and it could not justify continued trading from the shop's location.

Further comment is made about the continuing trend of businesses moving out of Douglas, a theme which has been reported on previously by Isle of Man Newspapers as the declining footfall places businesses that remain in the capital at risk.

Mr Thomas also said shifting trends in the retail industry and planned regeneration work on the promenades would cause further issues for the company had it continued in Chester Street.

He concluded: ’At the end of the current lease we will be handing back the keys to our landlord, the Department of Infrastructure.

’In the meantime we would like to thank our team and all the customers who have supported Shoprite at this location and we look forward to welcoming our customers to our other 10 locations around the Island including Winerite and Shoprite, Little Switzerland stores on Victoria Road in Douglas.’

The site has housed many supermarkets over its 40-year history.

In the past it has housed Lipton's, Presto, Safeway and Morrisons.