M&S announces plan to shut city centre store

Marks and Spencer has served Sunderland for decades

Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to close its Sunderland store and has started consultations with staff.

The retailer, which has run a store on High Street West in the city centre for several decades, said shopping habits were "changing".

It said any closure would not take place until a new, larger shop at the Washington Galleries was ready to open.

"We appreciate that this will be disappointing news for some," M&S regional manager Philip Barker-Thomson said.

The retailer had previously announced plans to axe more than 100 stores across the UK under a significant overhaul of its operations.

Last year, its Middlesbrough store closed after 122 years serving the town.

Mr Barker-Thomson said staff in Sunderland would be offered alternative roles at other locations, including Washington, if the closure goes ahead.