MAJOR outlets including M&S, Asda and Boots are set to close as part of a major shopping centre is demolished.
The stores in Thurrock Shopping Park, Essex, will close and some will relocate to nearby locations.
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The move is part of a £200m plan to redevelop the area and make way for a 644,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre.
Developers, British Land said the investment comes with huge economic benefits and will create 700 jobs for the area.
A spokesperson for the company said: “With this scheme, we are looking to invest approximately £200m and with that comes enormous economic benefits for Thurrock.”
They added that over time the shops will close, but many of them will relocate if they haven’t already, to nearby shopping centres and retail parks.
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The project is due to begin construction in 2025, and the scheme is located adjacent to Junction 31 of the M25.
Mike Best, Head of Logistics at British Land, said: “We’ve been extremely busy working on our London Urban Logistics pipeline, and have received planning consents for four schemes this year.
“This enables us to deliver a number of high-quality new logistics space to meet the growing demand, underpinned by the growth of e-commerce and rising customer expectations on the speed and convenience of deliveries.”
The Sun has reached out to Marks and Spencer, Asda and Boots for comment.
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These closures come as some branches of Boots and M&S are disappearing from the high street for different reasons.
Boots announced earlier in the year plans to reduce the number of stores it has from 2,200 to 1,900.
A number of branches have already closed in locations including Flintshire in Wales, Leicester, York, Plymouth and Exeter.
A full list of the 300 locations has not been revealed but locations at risk are those with more than one branch near to each other.
Marks and Spencer has also been shaking up and leaving some locals furious with its decision to shut down certain stores.
The popular retailer revealed that it would permanently shut ten of its stores and relocate more shops this year.
It is part of its plans to create more flagship M&S stores and food halls across the UK.
New stores have popped up in locations such as Birmingham, Uckfield, Earlsfield and the Trafford Centre.
Meanwhile, the areas of the country that have lost their local M&S include Bolton, Cardiff, Swindon and Manchester.
What about store openings?
It is not all bad news for shoppers as some retailers are thriving despite the difficult trading conditions.
Supermarket giant Asda has just announced that it will be opening 34 new stores before Christmas.
Three standalone Asda Express sites already opened this week in Manchester, Salford and Romford.
Also, one of the biggest surprises for shoppers was seeing Wilko return to the high street.
Two new concept stores opened up in Plymouth and Exeter just last week, and another is set to open in Luton on December 7.
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Also, since taking over some of the ex-Wilko stores, Poundland has opened up 71 locations, giving shoppers more chances to grab a bargain.
Meanwhile, The Sun recently revealed discount retailer Costco is expanding in the UK and is planning to open 14 more warehouses over the next two years.
