MARKS and Spencer is set to close another store for good in just hours and shoppers are devastated.
The retailer is closing its store in Barnsley's town centre – but it's not all bad news.
The M&S store on Queens Street will shut down today for the final time.
The closure is part of dozens expected over the next five years, with more set to take place in the coming months.
Devastated locals have taken to social media to share their disappointment of the loss of the town centre store.
One person said: "I think they'll regret it, it's the elderly that use it the most, especially for food."
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Another said: "Heartbreaking just another sign that this country has gone to the dogs."
However, the retailer is not disappearing completely from the area, a new M&S Foodhall is due to open tomorrow in the local retail park.
The new food branch at Peel Retail Park will offer shoppers 60% more space than the current store.
It is one of nine new M&S stores that opened up in November, including existing store refurbishments.
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But locals say that not all shoppers will be able to take advantage of the new store due to its out of town location.
One said: "You won't get the elder generation going down to the new one unless they have transport.
Another added: "Workers used to pop in to get something for lunch, that won't be happening."
Someone else said the retailer may "come to regret" the move, as the retail park is "mostly busy at weekends."
New flagship M&S stores have been popping up in several major UK cities this year, and there is more on the horizon. You can see the full list below:
- Purley Way – opened in April
- Leeds White Rose – opened in May
- Stockport – opened in June
- Liverpool ONE – opened in August
- Birmingham Bullring – to open on November 7
- Uckfield – to open on November 8
- Barnsley – November 28
- Earlsfield – to open on November 16
- Lakeside Thurrock – to open on November 15
- Manchester Trafford Centre – November 30
- Largs – expected Spring 2024
- Dundee – expected Spring 2024
The retailer also refurbished three stores this month in the following locations:
- Camberley – November 20
- Handforth – November 23
- Newcastle Foodhall – November 29
It comes as the high street brand looks to shut some of its "lower productivity full-line stores" to cut costs.
The full list of M&S closures that have taken place so far this year, or are still to come, can be seen below:
- ast Kilbride – closed in February
- Fenchurch Street, London – March
- Meadowbank Retail Park in Edinburgh – April
- Castleford – April
- Bolton – April
- Cardiff – April
- M&S Simply Food store, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester – August
- Swindon – October 28
- Eagles Meadow Foodhall in Wrexham – November 30
- Weymouth town centre, Dorset – exact date yet to be confirmed
The retailer plans to operate 180 full-line and 400 food halls in the next five years.
Other store closures
The rising cost of living means shoppers are thinking carefully before parting with their hard-earned cash.
With most retailers now having an online presence it is even easier for people to get what they want without having to leave the house.
This saves on increased town centre parking charges and also takes away the temptation to spend more money by stopping for lunch or a coffee.
However, this is not helping high street retailers, who despite their best efforts cannot get consumers through their doors.
Many big names are finding it impossible to keep their heads above water and are disappearing from our high streets forever.
One of the biggest shocks to the high street came in August when much-loved retailer Wilko collapsed into administration after failing to find a buyer for the business.
Meanwhile, high street card shop Clintons has just announced it will be closing another branch in the new year.
It comes just months after the retailer confirmed it would shut 38 of its stores to avoid collapse.
Other well-known retailers such including Argos, Lloyds Pharmacy and Poundstretcher have also closed branches in recent months.
However, there is some good news for shoppers as some big brands are looking to expand.
Poundland is opening 15 new stores over the next few weeks.
Fellow bargain retailer B&M is also opening more than a dozen new branches across the UK by the end of 2023.
Earlier this year the Sun also revealed bargain retailer Costco plans to open 14 new warehouses around the UK over the next two years in a major expansion for the chain.
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