A deal that would have seen a supermarket giant take over a prominent city centre shop has fallen through.

After months of speculation, Morrisons has finally confirmed it no longer plans to move into the former Topshop site in Haymarket, which has been empty for two years.

The retailer was previously expected to sign a 15-year lease in February ahead of a likely June opening date. 

Norwich Evening News: Morrisons was expected to sign a 15-year lease on the unitMorrisons was expected to sign a 15-year lease on the unit (Image: Archant)

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Work even started on the prospective supermarket back in July 2022.

Since then, activity at the site has halted and Morrisons has declined to comment on the status of the deal - despite multiple attempts made by this newspaper as the site becomes an eyesore.

But a spokesman for the retail giant has finally revealed that "Morrisons won't be opening a store as it doesn't have an agreement to take the unit".

They added: "There is no further detail to share at this time."

The news comes as a blow to locals who were hoping the former Topshop and Topman site would finally be filled.

Frustration over the stalling deal has even seen the unit become a target for vandalism in recent months. 

"Potential housing kept empty by millionaire landlords" was the latest line to be graffitied onto the shopfront.

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Norwich Evening News: The site has been the target of vandalism in recent weeksThe site has been the target of vandalism in recent weeks (Image: William Warnes)

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This followed messages in June that read "to be continued..." and "why is this massive building empty when hundreds of people in Norwich have nowhere to live?".

Steve Morphew, Labour group leader at Norfolk County Council, previously told the supermarket "to move in or move over".

"This isn’t doing anything for Morrisons' reputation or the city centre," he added.

The neighbouring Debenhams department store is also sitting empty ahead of demolition to be replaced by retail units and student flats, and the Hay Hill area is in the midst of a £3.2m, so city folk will hope new tenants emerge soon for the Topshop unit.