M&S store closure plan 'devastating news for Hull'
The loss of M&S will be a major blow to Whitefriargate.
HULL city centre is set to lose its Marks & Spencer store in Whitefriargate after the company today named a further 17 stores it is proposing to close.
The M&S store in Grimsby’s Freshney Place is not on the latest list.
The move will affect more than 1,000 employees and is part of M&S’s UK store estate programme first announced in November 2016 and accelerated in May 2018 after better than expected levels of sales transfer from closures and a target to have one-third of sales online by 2022.
As part of this accelerated plan M&S said it remained on track and on budget to close more than 100 stores in total.
The 17 stores announced today are: Ashford, Barrow, Bedford, Boston, Buxton, Cwmbran, Deal, Felixstowe, Huddersfield, Hull, Junction One Antrim Outlet, Luton Arndale, Newark, Northwich, Rotherham, Sutton Coldfield and Weston Super Mare.
M&S will now enter a period of consultation with the 1,045 colleagues affected by the latest closure proposals, with the intention of retaining as many people as possible.
The news is a major blow to Hull’s Whitefriargate which already has several empty shop units.
Kathryn Shillito of HullBID said: “We are extremely disappointed to learn the news of M&S’s potential closure, and our thoughts go with the 93 staff who are undergoing consultation. We have built a good relationship with the manager and team, partnering closely with them as part of the Healthy High Streets initiative as well as their participation in HullBID events.
“There is a real sense of nostalgia around Whitefriargate and the M&S building particularly which has been the anchor tenant for decades and the loss will certainly change the dynamics of the street.
“Clearly the closure is part of a bigger picture and we are all aware of the threats to retail. We are seeing some of the big name brands folding because of pressures from internet shopping and the cost of maintaining bricks and mortar outlets, whilst also meeting staff welfare needs including auto-enrolment and minimum wage.
“In recent years we have seen real diversification in the mix of business in the city centre as well as the transitioning of buildings into residential which will stimulate growth. Retail is tough though... some businesses have weathered the storm, particularly independents, but the bigger brands are struggling.
“Although this is devastating news to both the business community and no doubt the public, gradual change is happening in this part of the city. The indoor market is really buoyant and the recent news by the council that there is potential for local developers to buy and presumably repurpose some of the buildings in Whitefriargate offers hope.
“The potential closure unfortunately comes at a time when we are seeing the number of empty retail units drop in the city centre whilst footfall is increasing, bucking the trend compared to competitor cities.”
