Will the new chairman be the saving of M&S?

HERE we go again: another new chairman at the helm who is going to change the face of M&S. When will the store learn that trying to entice the younger generation into its branches will never happen? M&S has always been for an older age group who still like to be well-dressed and fashionable. Instead of chasing the youth market, can M&S concentrate on us and supply well-cut and affordable clothes, not gaudy garb? It’s reported new boss Archie Norman will cut back on ladies’ clothes and focus on children’s wear, underwear and men’s suits. He would do better to get a group of M&S shoppers together and listen to what we want to spend our money on. Let the youngsters shop at Zara and Primark; we are the ones with the money, so give us the clothes to buy.

DI THOMAS, Warrington, Cheshire. I HAVE breakfast five times a week at my local M&S and when I gaze across at the men’s department, there is not a soul in sight. The clothes look like a timewarp from 40 years ago: no panache or style. In comparison, the displays of the ladies’ clothes at the entrance really stand out and say: ‘Buy me!’ Mr Norman talks of focusing on men’s suits, but I have been disappointed with the four pairs of M&S trousers I have bought: after six months, the turn-up stitching has come undone. They are all made abroad instead of in Britain as in the past, so is that why there appears to be no quality control?

P. BENNISON, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear. M&S is closing stores because of the fall in profits, and, it’s said, people are struggling to pay its premium prices. I walked into my local store and was appalled at the boring and old-fashioned clothes. Don’t blame the shoppers for going elsewhere. EILEEN SMITH, Milnrow, Lancs.