Bad news, fans of Percy Pig, Colin the Caterpillar and beige cardigans: beloved UK high-street chain Marks and Spencer has announced it plans on closing dozens stores throughout the country over the next five years. The closures are apparently part of an effort to save the business hundreds of millions of pounds.
Some of the closures have already taken place, notably in Edinburgh, Middlesborough and on central London’s Fenchurch Street. Further stores are to close this year, with more set to be relocated. The majority of these are ‘full line’ stores, which stock its home and clothing range as well as food and drink. Here’s everything you need to know.
Which M&S stores are closing down and when?
These are the M&S stores that are set to shut, although only a few currently have set dates for closure.
- Cheltenham - March 30, 2024
- Peterborough - April 2024
- Neath - May 2024
- Aberdeen - 2025
- Weymouth - exact date TBC
- Sunderland - exact date TBC
- Walworth, London - exact date TBC
- Hexham - exact date TBC
- Bradford - exact date TBC
- Ilford - exact date TBC
- Blackburn - exact date TBC
Since M&S announced closures last year, these stores have already shut down
- East Kilbride
- Fenchurch Street, London
- Meadowbank Retail Park, Edinburgh)
- Castleford
- Bolton
- Cardiff
- Manchester
- Swindon
- Birmingham city centre
- Barnsley town centre
Other closures and relocations are subject to consultation and haven’t yet been confirmed. However, among the stores relocating are those in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Thurrock. The exact dates for these closures are also yet to be confirmed.
What has been said about the closures?
The high street retailer has said it was closing ‘lower productivity’ stores in an effort to save the business a heap of cash.
But it ain’t all bad news, Marks ‘n’ Sparks stans. M&S is also opening a bunch of brand-new stores. Check out all the deets of those here.
Here’s the full list of UK high street stores closing in 2024.
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