He entered the business in the Castlereagh Road area at around 6pm on Friday night and threatened staff.

Police said he made off with a sum of money.

The man is described as in his late 20s, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in and of slim build, with dark stubble growth and sunken eyes. He was wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up.

Meanwhile, detectives have arrested four men in connection with an armed robbery of a cash-in-transit van in Portrush.

The men, aged 36, 30, 27 and 22, are being questioned about the incident which happened in the Main Street area of the town at around 2pm.

Anyone who has any information about the east Belfast incident is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.