Abandoned shopping centre in UK 'left to rot' and is plagued by major problem

Abandoned shopping centre in UK 'left to rot' and is plagued by major problemConnswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast was a bustling hub for four decades before it suddenly shut last year - it has since been left derelict Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Liam McInerney 11:04, Thu, May 28, 2026 Updated: 11:04, Thu, May 28, 2026 A look inside the derelict Connswater Shopping Centre (Image: Justin Kernoghan)A once-cherished and thriving shopping centre in east Belfast now stands derelict — and has been blighted by anti-social behaviour in recent weeks. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) The Connswater Shopping Centre enjoyed a 40-year run before closing its doors in March of last year with just a fortnight's notice, after mounting problems such as dwindling footfall and soaring vacancy rates drove it into receivership. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy PolicyIt has since become a magnet for urban explorers, who frequently encounter smashed windows and rubble strewn across the former car park as they film the hollowed-out shopping centre, with its deserted food court and shuttered shops.Jamie Robinson, who documents forgo...