Marks & Spencer to Close 14 In-Store Cafés
Marks and Spencer has confirmed it will shut 14 in-store cafés, affecting 13 sites in England and one in Scotland. The high street stalwart explained the decision forms part of a store restructuring plan aimed at 'provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience.' All affected cafés are due to close by the end of the year.
The café closures include locations in 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 (Cheshire), Bishop Auckland (Durham), South Aylesford (Kent), Strood Retail Park (Kent), Whitstable (Kent), Canterbury (Kent), and Sittingbourne Retail Park (Kent).
Morrisons to Axe Around 100 Morrisons Daily Outlets
Morrisons has revealed it will axe around 100 of its Morrisons Daily outlets. Seven of these branches have been identified so far, with further announcements expected in the coming weeks and months. Confirmed closures include stores in Hull (Fairfax Avenue), Guisborough (Esk Close), Loftus (Zetland Road), Middlesbrough (Stokesley High Street), Redcar (Queen Street), South Driffield (Middle Street), and York (Woodthorpe).
British Heart Foundation to Close 150 Shops
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is gearing up to close 150 of its shops, with 87 shutting by the end of March 2027. CEO Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: 'Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK's biggest killers and our priority is funding research to save lives. We must take the difficult step to close some of our shops to sustain retail's important contribution to funding BHF's groundbreaking research.'
BHF stores closing by April 2027 include locations in Armley, Aberdare, Alfreton, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Abingdon, Ashbourne, Bedworth, Burnley, Blyth, Beckenham, Balham, Barnet, Bath, Brighton, Bangor, Blackpool, Cannock, Clacton, Coalville, Christchurch, Cleveleys, Consett, Chorley, Camden, Crawley, Chesterfield, Chatham, Dunstable, Durham, Dumfries, Dewsbury, Dalkeith, Eastbourne, Elgin, Eccles, Finchley, Falmouth, Fulham, Fakenham, Formby, Grays, High Wycombe, Hawick, Harlow, Hammersmith, Huyton, Hornchurch, Helston, Holsworthy, Hartlepool, Harpurhey, Hull, Hereford, Harrow, Ilkeston, Keighley, Kendal, Long Eaton, Llanelli, Minehead, Newbury, Newton Aycliffe, New Milton, Nuneaton, Newport, Ormskirk, Plymouth, Poole, Perry Barr, Rhyl, Rayleigh, Shrewsbury, Spalding, South Shields, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Swansea, Salford, Sutton Coldfield, Salisbury, Uckfield, West Bromwich, Worksop, and Wrexham.
Coughlans Bakery Enters Liquidation
Coughlans Bakery, part-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, has shut its doors with immediate effect after falling into liquidation. Managing Director Sean Coughlan and Romesh confirmed the news, saying 'gutted isn't the word.' Coughlans had been trading since 1937, with branches across South London, Surrey, Kent, and West Sussex. Full list of closures includes Addiscombe, Banstead, Beckenham, Caterham, Coulsdon, Chipstead, Crawley, Croydon, Dorking, Epsom, Forestdale, Godstone, Horley, Horsham, Lingfield, Kingswood, Nork, Old Coulsdon, Oxted, Purley, Reigate, Stoneleigh, Wallington, Warlingham, Westerham, and West Wickham.
Other Retailers and Community Losses
Further brands to announce closures include GO Outdoors, which has kicked off a closing down sale at its Colchester branch. Meanwhile, in the village of Hellifield, North Yorkshire, residents have been forced to say goodbye to their sole post office, after the shop it was housed within, Ahernes of Hellifield, shut up for good following 130 years of service.
