MP Paul Bristow hopes to persuade M&S to keep food shop in Peterborough

Paul Bristow hoped M&S would reconsider

A Conservative MP said he would try and persuade Marks & Spencer to retain a presence in Peterborough city centre.

Peterborough MP, Paul Bristow, hoped the retail giant would stay as a food-only store.

M&S last week announced plans to shut its shop in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, due to changing shopping habits.

Mr Bristow told the BBC that he wanted to have discussions with "top people" from M&S in the next few days.

He added that he had already met M&S public affairs staff.

Why is M&S planning to leave?

• M&S regional manager Craig Burton said shopping habits were changing

• The retailer was "rotating" its "store estate" to make sure it had the "right stores to offer customers"

• Mr Burton said in recent years M&S had "invested over £31m" in East of England stores

• He said staff would be offered "alternative roles with M&S wherever possible"

The Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral said losing M&S would be a "shame".

"I think a vibrant city centre is vital," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"The heart of the city centre is made up of all sorts of things, culturally, economic, visitors - it just seems a shame to lose M&S at this time."

While M&S might go, Frasers is set to move in to the former John Lewis unit, which closed in 2021.

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer of Peterborough Positive, Business Improvement District said the announcement of Frasers was "exactly what we need for the city".