M&S shoppers have expressed similar views after the closure of a store that opened less than a year ago. The M&S Outlet store at Warrington's Riverside Retail Park, which launched last summer, is shutting its doors this Saturday, June 20.
Store Closure Blamed on Missing Food Hall
The store, which sold clothing and other discounted products, was highly anticipated by Marks and Spencer fans. Many welcomed it as a valuable addition to the town, which already hosts a larger store at Gemini Retail Park and an M&S Food Hall at Stockton Heath. However, some customers were disappointed that it lacked its own Food Hall, and others suggested that the original M&S site in Golden Square would have been a better location.
Responding to the closure news on social media, one shopper commented: "It was never going to work without a food hall. Unless it was really cheap, which it wasn't." Another added: "Should have been a food hall," while a third remarked: "It would have been more profitable if it had a cafe, we oldies would have used it all the time."
M&S Statement on Performance
The company stated that the 6,000 sq ft store's performance "hasn't been where it needs to be." Pete Dobson, regional manager at M&S, said: "Our Warrington Riverside Outlet store will close on Saturday 20th June and we'd like to thank all of our customers who have shopped with us and our colleagues. We will continue working hard to serve customers at our nearby Gemini store, offering the very best of M&S Food, Fashion, Home and Beauty, and at our Stockton Heath foodhall."
The store was part of a network of M&S Outlet locations in the region, including Quayside in Salford, Urban Exchange in Manchester city centre, and Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks in Ellesmere Port. More than 20 new staff were recruited to join a 28-strong team at the Riverside store, which also sold kidswear and a curated range of home and beauty products. M&S confirmed that all colleagues have been redeployed to alternative roles within the company.
The closure is part of M&S's broader 'store rotation programme', which focuses on opening more food-led stores in easily accessible sites.
