Danny Donnelly MLA brings concerns over Dunnes Stores' long-vacant Larne premises to Dublin headquarters
An East Antrim MLA has told of how he waited at Dunnes Stores’ headquarters in Dublin for more than seven hours in an attempt to discuss the future of the retailer’s former premises in Larne town centre.
Danny Donnelly travelled to the company’s head office on Friday, 24 July to personally deliver a letter to Dunnes Stores CEO, Margaret Heffernan.
He said it followed years of unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the company over future of the property, which has lain vacant since 2019.
Since then there have been repeated calls for action over what to do with the building, which in 2025 formed a key component of Larne Community Wealth Building (CWB) Partnership’s regeneration plans for the town centre.
In a copy of the letter posted on social media, Mr Donnelly wrote: “For the past seven years, local people, businesses and elected representatives have been trying to engage with Dunnes Stores about your former premises on Main Street in Larne. Unfortunately, those efforts have been met with silence.
"Given that lack of engagement, I am delivering this letter to your head office in person. After years of unanswered emails, letters and requests for meetings, I hope this will finally lead to a conversation.”
The building’s condition over the past number of years has been cause for concern, the letter continued, with the premises broken into on numerous occasions. “The car park has become a regular location for antisocial behaviour, including public drinking and drug use,” the Alliance Party representative added.
"There have also been multiple attempts to start fires at the building. Given there is a nursing home directly above the former store, the potential consequences do not bear thinking about.
“After I raised concerns with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Building Control officers had to take enforcement action requiring the canopy to be made safe because of its condition. That should never have been necessary.
"This is one of the most prominent buildings on Larne's Main Street. Instead of contributing to the town centre, it has been left sitting empty year after year. It has become an eyesore, it affects neighbouring businesses, reduces footfall and undermines the efforts of everyone else who is trying to improve and invest in the town centre.
"I fully accept that what ultimately happens to the site is a commercial decision for Dunnes Stores. What is much harder to accept is watching one of the most prominent buildings in Larne continue to deteriorate year after year while every attempt to start a conversation is ignored.
"That is why I am asking Dunnes Stores to meet with local business representatives, elected representatives and the council. Nobody is expecting an overnight solution or demanding a particular outcome. After seven years, the least the people of Larne should expect is a response from a company they supported so loyally for decades.”
Despite Mr Donnelly’s efforts, he shared that no-one from Dunnes management was available to speak to him during his seven-hour wait in the retailer’s reception area. “I am disappointed, but I hand-delivered letters outlining my concerns and I hope for a positive reply,” he added.