United in anger over M&S closure decision
THE decision by M&S to pull out of Huddersfield has been slammed as “disgusting” and a disgrace.
Shoppers and politicians united in their anger at the announcement that the New Street store in the town centre is one of 17 facing closure with the loss of 71 jobs locally and 1,000 across the country.
Reacting to the news, Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said he has already written to M&S boss Steve Rowe urging him to reconsider the plans.
He labelled the decision ‘madness’ and said every university town – especially a thriving one such as Huddersfield – should have an M&S.
The Labour MP said: “Has M&S gone mad? They should have a presence in every university town in the country. Huddersfield is a typical town of Britain and if they can’t make it work in a thriving university town like Huddersfield they are in deep trouble.”
Mr Sheerman said he was confident of being able to get a meeting with Mr Rowe or his management team. The MP intends to put a “strong case” in favour of keeping the M&S Huddersfield store open.
He said the Huddersfield store should have moved to a larger site as it was clearly too small.
“They used to have a store by the library and they shrank their presence. It’s a great British brand. If they are going to curl up and die it’s very bad for M&S.”
The Labour leader of Kirklees Council said was disappointed by the decision but stressed the town centre needs to be ‘reinvented’ and not rely solely on retail outlets.
In a statement, Clr Shabir Pandor said: “I am deeply disappointed to hear this news. It will be an undoubted blow to the town centre.
“If, as likely, the store will be closing, I hope that all of the staff affected will be offered alternative employment.
“This is another sign of the troubled times for our high streets.
“Our masterplans will address how we need to reinvent our town centres, and that will mean not relying just on retail outlets.”
Clr David Hall, leader of the Conservative group on Kirklees Council, said he was “hugely disappointed” to hear the M&S news.
“A similar thing happened in Dewsbury. M&S closed and some people blamed that for the demise of the town. It had a huge impact on the number of shoppers.”
Clr Hall added: “I just hope the town will pull through it – it’s terrible news for the rest of the businesses.”
He claimed the Labour-controlled council had failed to develop a plan to regenerate the town centre in the last decade.
“Labour needs to face up to the fact that inaction is not acceptable. If people don’t come, the town will die.”
There were hundreds of comments on the Examiner’s Facebook page.
Linda Varey said: “The high street will soon be dead. With the demise of Woolworths, British Home Stores and now Marks & Spencers. All will be left is charity shops and Poundland.”
Angry Janet Twigg said: “Gutted is an understatement! Marks and Spencer’s, get a life, for God’s sake. Nearest store for clothes then is Pudsey or Meadowhall (forget your smaller stores). Huddersfield just needs a make over, at moment it is just a room with racks of clothes in it, certainly nothing ‘Inspiring’ unless you are over age of 70 and only go shopping once a year. Disgusting, Disgusting, Disgusting....”
Sarah Boyer added: “Oh dear another loss for Huddersfield town centre. I shop in the food section nearly every week and always seems busy the clothing upstairs is awful though dark and never much choice. Sad this store has been in the town such a long time.”