{"id":242019,"date":"2023-11-25T13:11:26","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T13:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=242019"},"modified":"2023-11-25T13:11:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T13:11:26","slug":"the-town-will-be-on-its-knees-say-shoppers-as-ms-to-close-town-centre-shop-in-shock-move-after-decades-on-high-street-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/lifestyle\/the-town-will-be-on-its-knees-say-shoppers-as-ms-to-close-town-centre-shop-in-shock-move-after-decades-on-high-street-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"'The town will be on its knees' say shoppers as M&S to close town centre shop in shock move after decades on high street | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
MARKS and Spencer is set to close a town centre in a shock move after decades on the high street.<\/p>\n
The posh shop, which has more than 405 stores across the UK, is to close its branch in King William Street, Blackburn to the surprise of shoppers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
An exact date for the closure, which first opened in the 1980s, is yet to be confirmed by M&S.<\/p>\n
Customers have been left stunned by the decision, with many taking to social media to share their shock.<\/p>\n
Commenting on Facebook, one shopper said: "The town will be on its knees if M&S disappears."<\/p>\n
Another fumed: "Are you frigging joking? This is literally the only reason I go to Blackburn town centre this is a JOKE NOW!!!"<\/p>\n
A third wrote: "The death of Blackburn's high street. (It\u2019s the only decent shop that is left)."<\/p>\n And a fourth added: "This better not happen! What about the people who find it hard getting out and about, doing their regular shopping there?? <\/p>\n "This is a well loved store at the heart of the town centre that's easily accessible. Blackburn town centre wouldn't be the same."<\/p>\n But it's not all bad news for shoppers, as M&S is considering a move to\u00a0Frontier Park on the outskirts of Blackburn.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Ben Heaps, regional manager for M&S, said: \u201cWith the lease on our current Blackburn store expiring in the next few years, we have been looking for a new local location with the right space to offer shoppers the very best of M&S. <\/p>\n "In line with the proposed opening, our existing Blackburn store would close once the development is completed.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the new Foodhall would be more than double the size of our current food offer in Blackburn, there will be opportunities for all colleagues working in our current store to move to work in the new store or other stores in the local area."<\/p>\n M&S is expected to close dozens of stores over the next five year, with more set to happen in the coming months.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, M&S revealed that it will permanently shut ten of its\u00a0stores\u00a0and relocate more shops this year.<\/p>\n Its part of the retailer's plans to create more flagship M&S stores and foodhalls across the UK.<\/p>\n The full list of M&S closures that have taken place so far this year are:<\/p>\n Cities like\u00a0Leeds\u00a0and\u00a0Liverpool\u00a0have already become home to new M&S stores.<\/p>\n Nine openings in November include six new stores plus three store renewals which total and \u00a380million investment in bricks and mortar\u00a0by the\u00a0retailer.<\/p>\n New locations include:<\/p>\n M&S will also open new or refurbished stores in five more locations in the coming months:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It also plans to open over 100 bigger Foodhall sites by 2028.<\/p>\n M&S plans to operate\u00a0180 full-line and 400 food halls\u00a0in the\u00a0next\u00a0five years.<\/p>\n The new openings will bring investment in new stores to \u00a3480million, M&S said in May.<\/p>\n It will also be\u00a0investing\u00a0in its digital offering, with the rollout of click-and-collect to 130 stores across the UK.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, M&S isn't the only retailer looking to expand.<\/p>\n Primark recently opened a new shop in Salisbury\u00a0in September and completed a refurbishment on its store in Edinburgh's Princes Street.<\/p>\n Plus, bargain retailer\u00a0Poundland has opened dozens of new sites.<\/p>\n M&S'\u00a0Christmas advert has\u00a0also arrived\u00a0and it\u00a0features\u00a0well-known TV and movie stars.<\/p>\n You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group\u00a0members.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/picture>BYE BYE <\/span><\/p>\n
\u2018Please don\u2019t close\u2019 cry fans as M and S prepares to shut another branch forever<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>BLACK FRI-YAY <\/span><\/p>\n
Five things always worth buying in the Black Friday sales and ones to avoid<\/h3>\n
Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>NOT APPY <\/span><\/p>\n
Thousands of HSBC customers furious as mobile banking & app hit by major outage<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>CRISPY BUSINESS <\/span><\/p>\n
Walkers say ‘we’re sorry’ as they confirm iconic crisps are discontinued<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>HOLIDAYS ARE COMING <\/span><\/p>\n
Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour dates revealed – is it coming to you?<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>CHOC-A-BLOCK <\/span><\/p>\n
How Iceland shoppers can bag a FREE tub of Quality Street or Celebrations<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n