It is believed a receiver has been assigned to the unopened Naas Shopping Centre in a move regarded as a lead-in to putting the premises up for sale.
It is the latest development in the chequered history of the town centre development which was originally scheduled to open in December 2009.
The news will be welcomed by local residents and the business community who are anxious to see the centre open.
It is known that Kildare County Council was also in discussions up to recently with the National Assets Management Agency about ways to open the centre.
The centre, which was built on the site of the former Naas Town Council car park, occupies 15,979 square metres and was constructed to accommodate 45 retail units and 800 car park spaces.
It is understood that the receiver has recently been in contact with some local businesses which have an interest in the NSC.
