‘This is awful’, shoppers despair as M&S reveals exact date shopping centre store will close for final time
SHOPPERS have despaired “this is awful” as the store reveals the exact date a shopping centre will close for the last time.
Marks and Spencer has confirmed that their store in the The Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill is set to close next month.
The final day of trading will be August 17.
Andy Nash, who manages The Belfry Shopping Centre, expressed surprise at the closure.
He said: “We are obviously sad to hear that M&S has made the decision to start the consultation to close their Redhill store, which has been much loved by our shoppers for the last 33 years.
“The Belfry has constantly evolved over the years as consumer habits have changed and it will continue to evolve with new stores opening all the time.
“Though it will be disappointing to lose M&S, the bigger
picture for the Centre remains extremely positive, with more visitors using the Centre and staying longer.”
The Marks and Spencer at Murraygate Dundee closed earlier this month.
However, it is not all bad news as the high street retailer, along with the Murraygate staff, will be moving to a new superstore at Gallagher Retail Park on July 16.
The move marks the end of an era for the Murraygate store, which led locals to express disappointment.
One person said: “Sad to see it close.”
Mary Power, store manager of the new M&S Dundee outlet, said: “We are really excited to announce that the new M&S Dundee store will open on the 16th July.
“I can’t wait to open the doors and welcome the local community in so they can see the very best of M&S for themselves.
“I’ve worked for M&S for a long time, starting my career in the city of Dundee and I’m delighted to be bringing a great team of experienced colleagues from our current stores to the new one.
“Customers will reap the benefits of their knowledge when it comes to selecting products and knowing brands.”
Retailers closing stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.
Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.
We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:
- Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
- B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
- Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
- Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
- Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
- Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
- Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
- M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops.
- Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
- WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shut eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
In 2019, the group launched 110 store closures as part of the plans, affecting a number of its longstanding high street shops.
The group’s bosses were asked whether they have “given up on the high street” at the AGM on Tuesday, amid concerns they are shifting increasingly towards retail parks.
Archie Norman, chairman of the business, said: “No, we haven’t given up on the high street.
“We have a very important store rotation programme but we are absolutely not trying to leave city centres – that has never been our intention.
“We do have some older stores that are hard and costly to maintain and run so we have to look at that.”
Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, said the programme of closures, refurbishments and relocations follows a previous lack of necessary investment.
“Our store rotation is really a catch-up programme on the last 20 years as we have previously underinvested,” he said.