One of Brighton and Hove's most prestigious shopping developments could lie empty after Asda announced the closure of all its George stores.

The Quadrant complex, at the bottom of Queen's Road, Brighton, was revamped in the summer of 2005 and it was hoped it would become home to distinctive high street names such as Harvey Nichols or Ikea.

So there was a tinge of disappointment when Asda occupied 14,794sqft of space on the upper and ground floors to sell its budget clothing line.

Now all stand-alone George stores are closing as the supermarket giant concentrates on its Asda Living format, a chain of warehouse-style outlets selling the company's nonfood goods.

The Quadrant store will close in May and the search is on to find another major name to occupy the site.

Soozie Campbell, city centre manager, said one of the development's problems was that it was not large enough to attract a large department store chain.

She added: "It might not be the worst thing to happen to the city. At the time we would much rather have had a John Lewis or something similar. The site has been revamped and now looks very attractive and I can't see it going back to the way it was.

"Personally, I would like to see a brand like Ted Baker there as it is upmarket and would mean a kudos for the city."

Garry Peltzer Dunn, chairman of the major projects committee on Brighton and Hove City Council, is also confident the site will not remain empty for long.

He said: "It is always disappointing when a major name goes and especially at the Quadrant because it is such a prominent corner.

"But it is a prestigious building and I am certain it will attract another flagship operator. In the short term it is regrettable but in the long term something even better may come.

"The city centre is extremely buoyant."

A spokesman for Asda said the George store at the Quadrant had been a success and the decision to close was not an economic one.

He added: "We are refocusing our business on to our successful Asda Living format. These stores will provide a better range of George products."

The spokesman added there was a strong possibility an Asda Living store could open in Brighton once a suitable site was found.