{"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

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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

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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

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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