M&S announces latest store closure

Marks and Spencer has revealed its latest store set to close under its restructuring plan.

As part of its plan to axe 85 full-line stores and 25 of its Simply Food outlets as it targets a return to profitable growth, the food and homeware retailer announced its Dorchester store, located on South Street in Dorset is set to close.

Marks and Spencer said 53 members of staff are set to be affected and will now be involved in a consultation process.

Aaron Spicer, M&S head of region for Wessex, said: “Shopping habits are changing so we’re transforming our store estate to meet the needs of today’s customers. Proposing to close our Dorchester store is a difficult but necessary part of reshaping our estate to have fewer, but more inspirational stores. Over the coming weeks our priority will be supporting our great team of colleagues at Dorchester as we discuss what’s best for them.

“We remain committed to local customers and, if the proposal goes ahead, we will continue to serve them from our website and other stores in the area, including M&S Weymouth and our Foodhall in Blandford Forum, where customers can also pick up clothing and home products in store via click and collect.”

A total of 47 Marks and Spencer stores have now closed as part of the shake-up. Last month chief executive Steve Rowe admitted to shareholders at its AGM that plans to close 110 of its stores are “not finite” and said the retailer is paying for “not shutting stores 10 or 20 years ago”.