M&S announces permanent change from August and ‘gutted’ shoppers left ‘sad

Marks and Spencer has confirmed the closure of its branch – leaving customers gutted. Shoppers with M&S have hit out at the decision to swing the axe on the Belfry Shopping Centre branch of Marks and Spencer in Redhill. Staff at the store were given the news on Tuesday morning, six weeks after M&S started a consultation with its Redhill staff. The last day of trading for the Redhill branch will be Saturday 17 August. Staff were advised that their roles will either be terminated or relocated by 31 August. Manager of the Belfry Shopping Centre, Andy Nash wished all M&S staff well and thanked them for being part of the Belfry’s history. The store has been located in the Centre for 33 years. He said: “We wish all of the M&S staff well and thank them for being part of the Belfry’s history.” Mr Nash noted that the shopping centre remained “extremely positive” going forward with the centre “busier than ever”. He added: “We have strong enquiries on the retail space that we will obviously now seek to progress.” In 2022 Marks & Spencer announced proposals to close 67 stores nationwide, as part of a plan to have fewer but better main stores, as shoppers spend more online, as well as to expand its food business. In its statement, Marks & Spencer said: “In the last year we’ve invested more than £12.5m in our stores in the south east. “We are open to the idea of investing in a new M&S food hall in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in the future, subject to being able to find the right type of site.” Last year, M&S introduced Birmingham to its flagship new Bullring shopping centre branch. The spokesperson went on and said: “We appreciate this proposal to close will be disappointing news to some customers.” Responding to the Surrey closure, a fan said: “Sad news.” A second wrote: “Gutted.”