IRISH retailer Dunnes has suddenly shut its Bradford store.

The closure of the shop in Idlecroft Road, Idle, was only announced by a sign to customers attached to its locked gates.

There was also no official confirmation of the closure on the retailer's website but the store's location has been taken off its map of stores for West Yorkshire.

But Dunnes' store in Kirkstall, Leeds, the only other site it has in West Yorkshire, will remain open.

All of the signage has also been taken down from the front of the Bradford store.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said the store's closure took her and residents by surprise and was a "blow" for the area, particularly with job losses.

She said: "It's a big site.

"It is a blow to the area that the site is a dominant place. It is on a conservation area.

"Any loss of employment in the area is a big blow.

"It used to be Hillards supermarket before it became Dunnes Stores. We will watch with interest what takes its place.

"I'm annoyed that the firm has been difficult to contact.

"People feel that they have not been informed.

"I'm very disappointed that the company has not been able to let people know that they were closing.

"It used to have an industrial use and latterly it's been used for retail."

Cllr Dominic Fear (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said: "It seems to be a decision that has not been taken locally.

"It has been taken nationally from what we can see.

"No other Dunnes stores seem to be closing.

"I have been contacted by residents about this.

"The future of the site is a bit of a worry. Most people who worked there lived locally as well."

Residents also voiced their views at the store's closure on the Idle Community Facebook page.

Ross Mackay said: "Hopefully it'll get sold asap so it won't stand empty too long and ending up a mess!"

Janet East said: "Sad but was always empty."

Mandy Tennant added: "Wonder why it was kept quite about its closure only heard this week by chance when two ladies were discussing it in Co-op!

"Another loss to Idle agree, let's hope it does not stand empty to long and becomes another retail shop. Good luck to staff ."

Steve Dresser tweeted the Telegraph & Argus: "Big news from the Bradford retail scene - Dunnes has closed. Was housed in the former Hillards store."

Dunnes Stores is Ireland’s largest retailer which operates 155 stores across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Spain.

The Telegraph & Argus was unable to get a response from Dunnes' head office yesterday about the reasons behind the closure or the number of job losses.

No planning applications have yet been submitted to Bradford Council for the site.