Marks & Spencer signals shock closure of historic Commercial Road store
City centre high street faces heavy blow
Marks & Spencer is set to close its iconic Commercial Road branch, a store that has sold lingerie there for over 100 years. It could be one of six nationwide shops axed, including locations in Slough, Warrington, and two Simply Food outlets.
New stores threaten old favourites
With M&S expanding in Gunwharf Quays and Havant, bosses believe their modern shoppers are better served elsewhere. Sources reveal closing these six stores won’t hurt the retail giant’s property portfolio.
“Such big investment in Gunwharf could only come at the expense of the town centre,” critics said — and they seem spot on.
M&S scales back amid 959 UK shops
Currently, Marks & Spencer runs 959 UK stores: 304 full-line outlets, 615 food-only shops, and 40 clearance centres. But with big changes afoot, the future of traditional high street stores looks bleak.
