Marks and Spencer is pressing ahead with significant changes to its store portfolio in the run-up to Christmas, confirming the permanent closure of 11 in-store cafés across the UK. The move forms a key part of the retailer's ongoing strategy to modernise its food business.
Café Closures and Strategic Shift
The retail giant has decided to repurpose café space in 11 of its smaller Food stores. This will impact fewer than 4% of its over 300 café and coffee shop locations nationwide. Among the outlets confirmed for closure are those in Anlaby, Hull, and Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, with all 11 set to shut before the end of 2025.
A spokesperson for M&S explained the rationale behind the decision, stating the company is investing to offer customers a wider product range. "In some of our small Food stores, where customers want a greater range of M&S Food, our transformation involves repurposing cafe space," they said. The firm is simultaneously launching new coffee shop formats, including at its recently opened Bristol Cabot Circus store.
New Openings and Job Creation
While some cafés close, M&S is aggressively expanding and upgrading its Foodhall concept. The retailer has opened a series of new and revamped food stores in recent months, creating around 200 new jobs ahead of the festive season.
Notable launches include a market-style Foodhall on Southampton Street in Covent Garden, which opened on October 15. November saw the debut of two further Foodhalls in South London, at Clapham Common and Fulham Broadway. This follows the earlier permanent closure of the historic Wolverhampton city centre branch on Dudley Street on September 27.
Full List of Store Changes in 2025
Confirmed Closures:
- Wolverhampton Dudley Street store - closed September 27.
- 11 in-store cafés nationwide - closing before year-end.
Confirmed New or Transformed Stores:
The retailer has been busy with a wave of openings and refurbishments throughout the year. Key launches include the Cheltenham Centrum foodhall in April, Warrington Riverside in July, and the flagship Bristol Cabot Circus store in November.
A significant number of existing Foodhalls have also been transformed, including locations in Wimbledon, Temple Fortune, Aberdeen Union Square, and Brent Cross. The Chiswick foodhall is scheduled to reopen on December 9, with further openings in Bath and Putney still to be confirmed.
This dual strategy of pruning underperforming café spaces while heavily investing in larger, destination Foodhalls underscores M&S's focus on adapting its physical estate to evolving consumer habits. The changes aim to solidify its position in the competitive UK grocery and food-to-go market.
