Marks & Spencer has confirmed plans to close up to 14 stores, putting nearly 500 jobs at risk. Among the six stores set to shut by the end of April is the Fforestfach branch in Swansea, affecting 92 jobs.
The other stores closing are in Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Durham, Putney in south-west London and Redditch. M&S said all staff in those stores would be moving to other nearby branches.
Consultation is under way on the closure of a further eight stores, employing a total of 468 staff, who will be offered redeployment or redundancy. These stores are in Andover, Basildon, Bridlington, Denton, Falmouth, Fareham, Keighley and Stockport.
Sacha Berendji, director of retail at M&S, said: “Stores will always be an integral part of our customer experience, alongside M&S.com, but we have to ensure we have the right offer in the right locations.” He added that the changes are “vital for the future of M&S”.
The closures are part of a plan to shut 30 UK stores and convert or replace 45 more with food-only outlets, as M&S cuts back on clothing floor space amid falling profits and a shift to online shopping.
