M&S is set to shut another branch forever and shoppers are begging for it to stay open.
The high street retailer, which has more than 405 sites across the country, is shutting its cafe in Chineham shopping centre in Basingstoke, to the surprise of fans.
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The cafe will close on November 26 for the final time, M&S confirmed.
Shoppers have been left stunned by the decision, with many taking to social media to share their opinions.
Commenting on Facebook, one shopper said: “Please don’t close the Cafe it’s a great place to meet up with friends and family and the staff are so friendly.”
Another wrote: “OMG WHY!! It’s the only decent place to meet up with family and friends for a coffee and a chat.
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“I would urge you to reconsider your rather strange decision.”
A third added: “Such a shame. It was always a favourite for meet-ups with my babies as there are not that many other options with space and it was always so welcoming.”
And a fourth fumed: “Such a shame, love their coffee. The food is yummy and the staff are like friends. Please don’t close it.”
It comes after M&S closed its cafe in the Eagles Meadow Foodhall, Wrexham earlier this month.
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M&S is expected to close dozens of stores over the next five year, with more set to happen in the coming months.
Earlier this year, M&S revealed that it will permanently shut ten of its stores and relocate more shops this year.
The full list of M&S closures that have taken place so far this year are:
- East Kilbride – February
- Fenchurch Street, London – March
- Meadowbank Retail Park in Edinburgh – April
- Castleford – April
- Bolton – April
- Cardiff – April
- Manchester – August
- Swindon – October
- Birmingham city centre – November
- Barnsley’s town centre – to close on November 27
But it’s not all bad news because flagship M&S stores and Foodhalls have popped up in several major UK cities this year.
Cities like Leeds and Liverpool have already become home to new M&S stores.
Nine openings in November include six new stores plus three store renewals which total and £80million investment in bricks and mortar by the retailer.
New locations include:
- Birmingham – November 7
- Uckfield – November 8
- Lakeside – November 15
- Earlsfield – November 16
- Barnsley – November 28
- Trafford Centre – November 30
M&S will also open new or refurbished stores in five more locations in the coming months:
- Camberley – November 20
- Handforth – November 23
- Newcastle Foodhall – November 29
- Wrexham – December 1
- Manchester Trafford Centre – Winter 2023
- Linlithgow – January 2024
- Largs – Spring 2024
- Dundee – Spring 2024
M&S is moving from having 247 stores to 180 – but says that these remaining locations will be higher quality, higher productivity stores and stock a wider range including clothing, home and food.
It also plans to open over 100 bigger Foodhall sites by 2028.
M&S plans to operate 180 full-line and 400 food halls in the next five years.
The new openings will bring investment in new stores to £480million, M&S said in May.
It will also be investing in its digital offering, with the rollout of click-and-collect to 130 stores across the UK.
Meanwhile, M&S isn’t the only retailer looking to expand.
Primark recently opened a new shop in Salisbury in September and completed a refurbishment on its store in Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
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Plus, bargain retailer Poundland has opened dozens of new sites.
M&S’ first Christmas advert has also arrived and it features well-known TV and movie stars.
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