M&S store closure a real blow, council leader says

Marks & Spencer's store in Crawley is earmarked for closure

Marks & Spencer's decision to close its Crawley store has been described as a "real blow" by the council leader.

The store, in Queensway, which has been part of the West Sussex town for decades, is one of more than 100 M&S branches expected to close over the next few days.

Michael Jones, leader of Crawley Borough Council, said: "This is awful news for M&S staff, many of whom have worked in the store for a very long time."

The retailer’s regional manager Graham Bennett blamed the move on “changing” shopping habits.

Mr Bennett said: “We’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores with the right space to offer customers a brilliant shopping experience.

“Our priority now is to talk to our colleagues about what this announcement means for them.”

Mr Bennett said staff would be offered alternative roles "wherever possible" if the proposed closure goes ahead, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Jones said: “It’s a real blow for the town centre.

“We will work with the building owner to see what plans there are for this major site.”

M&S says it has invested more than £12.5m in stores across the South East.

Mr Bennett said the company was "open to the idea of investing in a new, accessible M&S store in Crawley in the future".

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