M&S is shutting multiple branches with one closing today and more to follow in the coming weeks.
The closures are part of 67 expected over the next five years, with seven locations and dates revealed so far.
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M&S is closing its Fenchurch Street store in London from today (March 31).
And the branch in Meadowbank retail park, Edinburgh is shutting up shop for the last time tomorrow (April 1).
After that the M&S in Linthorpe Road, Middlesborough, which first opened more than 100 years ago, will shut its doors on April 15.
And the high street retailer is also shutting it’s branch in Castleford on Carlton Street by the end of April.
Further closures include Newport Road, Cardiff in ‘spring’, but an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
M&S in Eagles Meadow, Wrexham, will also bring down its shutters in autumn.
Another store in Deansgate, Bolton is also shutting up shop, but no time frame has been given.
Meanwhile M&S in Eastkilbride shut on February 25.
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The closures come as part of plans to shut some of its “lower productivity, full line stores”.
But M&S also announced that it will be opening 104 new “bigger and fresher” food stores and some of these could be in the same areas as those closing.
Here’s the full list of shops that have closed or area closing that we know so far:
- Eastkilbride – February 25
- Linthorpe Road, Middlesborough – April 15
- Carlton Street, Castleford – end of April
- Meadowbank retail park, Edinburgh – spring
- Newport Road, Cardiff – spring
- Eagles Meadow, Wrexham – autumn
- Deansgate, Bolton – date to be confirmed
The Sun has asked M&S if any more will be going along with exact dates, and we’ll update this story when we know more.
The retailer’s bosses say they are aiming for closures to be completed in three years, when it first announced them last year.
The need for speed comes as it faces a tough consumer backdrop, rising inflation and a £100 million hit from soaring energy costs.
The retailer said that it is accelerating up its store overhaul to save around £309 million in rent costs.
Last year the business said that it wanted to reduce its number of clothing and home shops down to 180 from 247 shops.
This is around one in four stores.
But M&S says it plans to expand its Simply Food shops from 316 to 420.
Many are expected to reopen in the same area or location as sites earmarked for closure.
What other shops are closing?
There are a few brands marking branches up for closure as the the coronavirus pandemic and other rising costs continue to take a hit.
For example Paperchase will be closing stores in April following its collapse into administration in January.
The final closing for the brand is April 3 as the chain hosts its farewell 70% off sale.
Elsewhere M&Co is getting rid of the following branches on Saturday, April 1:
- Lewes
- Gosport
- Belper
- Beccles
- Newquay
- Lerwick
It follows on from when the brand and intellectual property was sold to Yours Clothing but the stores weren’t and are set to close.
Clintons will also be shutting two branches next month – Gloucester on April 1 and Fife on April 8.
It follows three shops which permanently closed last year.
To browse through a full list of closures happening next month, read our roundup.
