Bradford Broadway centre owner surprised by proposed M&S closure

The Broadway said a closure of the M&S branch would be a "loss" for the city

A proposal to close a branch of Marks & Spencer at a shopping centre in Bradford has left the site's owner "surprised and disappointed".

The Broadway also said there had been "no communication" from the retailer about the proposal.

M&S said on Tuesday that changing shopping habits had prompted a "transformation" within the business.

If the closure went ahead, staff would be offered alternative roles within the business where possible, M&S added.

M&S has had premises at The Broadway, in Bradford city centre, since the £260m site opened in 2015.

Christina Beggan, from Broadway owners Ellandi, said: "We are surprised and disappointed to hear M&S will be closing its store in Bradford.

"We had no communication from M&S that this announcement was coming."

Ms Beggan added that footfall and sales were up at the centre and the decision appeared to be a "wider M&S issue" rather than a "Bradford-specific problem".

The Broadway centre in Bradford opened in 2015, and M&S has been one of the major retailers based there

Meanwhile, Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, said while M&S leaving would be a "loss for the city centre and wider Bradford district", demand for space there was high.

"We have a lot of interest from other occupiers and will be announcing new fashion and beauty retailers in the coming weeks," he said.

Bradford Council said the news was "disappointing", but it underlined "the changing nature of the high street".

On Tuesday, Vickie Smith, M&S regional manager, said: "Shopping habits are changing, so we're rotating our store estate.

"As part of this transformation, we have announced to colleagues our proposal to close the M&S Bradford store in the Broadway shopping centre."

The firm had invested more than £20m in its stores across West Yorkshire in recent years and more than £120m in its Bradford distribution centre over the last decade, Ms Smith added.

'Doom and gloom'

One Broadway shopper told the BBC that if the M&S in the centre closed, she would instead go to Leeds or Manchester to shop.

Jill Gregory said: "M&S is where a lot of elderly people shop. Now there won't be anywhere for over-60s to buy clothes.

"I don't like online shopping. I like to be able to feel the fabric and see the quality."

Meanwhile, Ras Williams, 50, said the news was "sad" and that Bradford "seems to be dying".

Mr Williams said he recalled when The Broadway opened and it was "shocking" that shops were already closing.

"It's all doom and gloom," he added.

Work began on The Broadway in 2004, but halted in 2008 because of the global financial crisis.

That pause in work resulted in the site being dubbed the "Bradford hole" by some residents.

Developers Westfield claimed at the time it would create 2,500 permanent jobs and boost footfall in the city by 40%.

Debenhams, the other major store at the centre, closed in 2021.