A major shake-up is on the cards at a retail centre on the border of Dundee and Angus.
Units in House of Angus, near Monifieth, will close their doors on January 24.
It is understood that Lakeland is set to move in next to Dobbies Garden Centre.
A Dobbies spokeswoman said there are “exciting plans” in the pipeline for the space and they would be making an official announcement soon.
“Watch this space,” she added.
Lifestyle Leisure has already closed it’s operation, ceasing trade during the last week of 2017.
Staff at Cotton Trader, one of the few outlets still open, were unofficially told they may be forced to close around autumn time, and heard official word in the lead up to Christmas.
Manager Jean Craig said: “We were unofficially told three or four months before by a member of staff at Dobbies next door and we were officially told in mid-December.
“Some of the staff have been here since day one and expected to see out retirement. I am realistic and know things don’t last forever, but the staff are really gutted.”
She added that Cotton Traders are looking for another site so they can continue trading in or around Dundee, but that search is at an “early stage”.
Jean’s daughter Amanda Craig, who has been working at the store for seven years, said: “We had been given an inkling that tipped everyone off. I am looking on the bright side and seeing it as a new start.
“It’s hard to take personally as the decision is made by another company and high up that chain. I know our company valued our work and will take us back if they get another site.”
Early last year the retail centre was dealt a major blow as golf outlet Auchterlonies pulled out with “great regret”.
It was claimed at the time that the centre would remain strong, with Lifestyle manager Joanne Kelsey saying at the time: “We are very much open for business, and hopefully with local support, we can continue to thrive and serve consumers in Angus, Dundee and surrounding areas.”
The Edinburgh-based Dobbies garden centre chain developed the £1 million Angus Gateway retail outlet and visitor centre.
