Marks and Spencer has confirmed a significant restructuring of its retail operations, with plans to close 14 of its popular in-store cafés by the year 2026. This move is part of a broader strategy to reallocate space within stores, allowing for an increased selection of products and an enhanced overall shopping experience for customers.
Strategic Shift to Boost Product Offerings
The decision follows a recent closure at the Barn Road location in Congleton, Cheshire, which was shuttered to "provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience," according to company statements. This initiative reflects M&S's ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving consumer demands and optimize its physical store layouts.
Customer Impact and Continued Service
Katie Whelan, Marks and Spencer's regional manager, addressed the closures, stating: "After reviewing our Congleton store, we are re-purposing the café space in-store to provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience. We understand this will be disappointing news for some of our customers; however, our teams will continue working hard to serve them in-store."
The affected cafés have been known for their family-friendly amenities, including a kids' menu priced at £4.50, a 10% senior discount, and complimentary morning cake slices for parents. These offerings have made M&S cafés a staple for many shoppers seeking quality food and daily deals.
Full List of Café Closures
The 14 cafés scheduled for closure by 2026 are located across various regions in the UK:
- Crawley, West Sussex
- Dunblane, Stirling, Scotland
- Congleton, Cheshire
- Stone, Staffordshire
- Anlaby, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
- Bidston Moss
- Bishop Auckland
- South Aylesford, Kent
- Strood Retail Park, Kent
- Whitstable, Kent
- Canterbury, Kent
- Sittingbourne Retail Park, Kent
Broader Retail Context
This café closure plan comes amid other significant changes for Marks and Spencer. The retailer recently closed its historic Bath store after 93 years of operation, marking the end of an era for that location. However, M&S is simultaneously embarking on an ambitious expansion strategy, with announcements to launch 500 new stores across England in the coming years.
Several new stores have already opened in 2026, including a full-line store at Bath Southgate in February and a food-focused outlet on Putney High Street. Additional food stores are planned for locations such as Hatfield Oldings Corner, Luton Bramingham, Farnham, Abingdon Fairacres, and Godalming, with specific opening dates yet to be confirmed.
This dual approach of closures and openings underscores M&S's commitment to reshaping its retail footprint to better align with modern shopping habits and operational efficiencies.
