Fighting backon closure
Call for long-term strategy to tackle decline of high streets
Business leaders, local politicians and customers have all had their say after Marks & Spencer revealed they are proposing to close their store in East Kilbride town centre.
East Kilbride Task Force chair Craig Smith insists a strategy must be developed to save high streets before it is“too late" while MP Dr Lisa Cameron insists M&S’s decision is not a “done deal”.
A new strategy is needed to safeguard the future prosperity of East Kilbride following the shock announcement by Marks & Spencer that its flagship town centre store is facing the axe.
The Plaza unit is among the latest which the giant retailer are closing or proposing to close in a radical restructuring – 67 jobs are at risk.
And Craig Smith, chair of East Kilbride Task Force, told the News that retailers, along with local and central government and agencies, have to urgently come up with a long-term solution to halt the decline of high streets before it is too late.
He said: “There are difficult times ahead and on that basis, more in-depth consideration should be given to the future nature of retail as a whole in East Kilbride for the town, its residents and visitors.
“The announcement by M&S is a serious blow for the town centre and shows that even large retailers are struggling and any loss of jobs in the town is, of course, a great concern.
“We can't ignore the fact that shopping habits are changing. We must seriously consider the future of retail in the town as a whole.
“The government and their agencies need to recognise this issue. They need a long-term strategic plan to deal with the issue of out-of-town shopping and the move to online and provide a level of support to retailers on the front line – before it's too late.
“While we welcome the heavy investment by the owners of the town centre in creating a great-looking facility, we all want to see East Kilbride – Scotland's first New Town – become the town it once was.”
The shock move by M&S is the latest blow for the town centre which has already suffered the loss of BHS, Menkind, Fuel Juice Bar, KFC and the collapse of Maplin.
Toys R Us, near the Kingsgate Retail Park, closed its doors in March and lingerie firm Ultimo announced it was the end of the road for their East Kilbride base.
In a further blow to the town centre, EK, East Kilbride have also confirmed that shoe store Dune will not be renewing their lease.
But M&S would arguably be the most high profile closure given their presence on Britain's high streets.
The firm plan to close 100 stores across the UK by 2022.
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow SNP MP Dr Lisa Cameron was granted an urgent question in Westminster on M&S, which was responded to by the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.
She said: “I will not comment on this as a 'done deal'.
“During my question, I was able to highlight the impact on jobs, livelihoods and our town centre of the proposed closure and requested that impact assessments be undertaken for local economies and that cognizance is taken of the difficulties disabled constituents have travelling to out of town retail parks.
“I also asked the Conservative Government why recommendations from the 2011 commissioned report by Mary Portas on “Saving the High Street” had not been implemented, which could have minimised these closures; and requested a joint meeting between government, MPs affected and representatives from M&S.
“A meeting is being arranged and I will keep constituents up to date with all the work I am doing to try to prevent our M&S closing.”
Meanwhile, Labour Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon said: “I am deeply disappointed that M&S have plans to close their East Kilbride Plaza store in yet another blow to the local economy after a string of business closures and job losses in the town.
“I asked about the M&S closure at First Minister's Questions and raised that five weeks ago I wrote to the cabinet
I am deeply disappointed that M&s have plans to close their East Kilbride Plaza store... Monica Lennon MSP
secretary for the economy, jobs and fair work, asking him to visit businesses and residents in the town to discuss a jobs strategy for East Kilbride.
“After I raised the issue with Nicola Sturgeon, I finally received a reply from one of the Keith Brown’s ministers, Paul Wheelhouse, who has indicated that he is open to a meeting to discuss these issues.
“I look forward to that meeting with local residents taking place as soon as it can be rearranged, and to hear what the Scottish Government’s plans are to ensure that East Kilbride’s future is a bright one.”
EK, East Kilbride revealed they were surprised by M&S’s decision given the significant investment in the centre.
“We have been informed of Marks & Spencer’s decision and are urgently seeking further information from them,” a spokesman said. “M&S is undertaking a nationwide restructuring and this news is extremely concerning for all M&S staff.
“This is a very surprising announcement by the retailer as our understanding is that the store has always performed well at EK, East Kilbride.
“Over the past few years the shopping centre has undergone a significant transformation with the addition of new multi-million pound leisure hub and the arrival of new retailers resulting in increased footfall across the centre.
“We have not been given any additional information from the company but can assure visitors and those working at the centre that we are working to clarify exactly why this decision has been taken.
“We can also confirm that Dune has come to the end of its lease at the centre and has chosen not to renew. We are currently in discussion with a number of operators about potentially occupying the unit.”
M&S regional manager Shirley McCullough said: “Proposing to close M&S East Kilbride was a difficult decision and over the coming weeks we’ll be speaking to all of our colleagues individually about what is best for them.”