Marks and Spencer announces even more store closures

Marks and Spencer will bid farewell to one of its stores in East London this year.

The retailer has confirmed that it is discussing the proposed closure of its Ilford store in the town centre Exchange building.

It comes after the chain, which runs 405 stores across the country, closed a string of branches in a blow to shoppers.

A spokesperson for M&S confirmed to The Romford Recorder that staff were informed of the news just last week.

Ilford locals have branded the move as “sad” given that it marks the end of an era for another major brand in the 90-store shopping centre.

According to the Ilford Recorder, the conversation was raised as M&S said sales at the store have been on a “consistent” decline for some time.

Shushila Patel, a regular shopper at Marks and Spencer, told the publication: “Ilford has changed since I first came here in 1984. Then it changed in 1991, we had the Ilford Exchange.

“Marks and Spencer together with Debenhams and other stores were like a hub where people met on Saturday before shopping. I strongly believe that Marks and Spencer has been the cornerstone of our High Road, high street.”

In 2022, the retailer announced plans to shut 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of a five-year plan to shake up branches.

The Ilford local claimed that the upcoming store closure would not only “leave a void” in the community but be “the death of Ilford”.

On Facebook, one Ilford resident claimed: “Might as well close the whole of Ilford down nothing much they’re any more so sad.”

In 2021, the shopping centre lost Debenhams after years of trade. The department store shut its doors for good on Sunday, May 2.

Some big names remain at the retail destination, including TKMaxx, Poundland, The Body Shop, H&M, Costa Coffee and WHSmith.

It’s not all bad news for fans of M&S. In January 2023, the chain announced it would open 20 more stores over the financial year.

At the same time, it said it’s opening 104 new “bigger and fresher” food stores. In the last 12 months, the beloved British brand has opened 22 sites including in Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, as revealed by a spokesperson.