M&S ‘has gone back on its job promises’
Questions have been raised about the new M&S superstore in Maidstone after it transpired all of the 130 staff it employs were transferred from the chain’s other shops.
It is in stark contrast to the 300 new jobs promised when the store was going through the planning process.
The outlet at Eclipse Park, near the M20’s junction 7, opened last Wednesday.
But store manager Andre Brincat confirmed all staff had already been working for M&S although some transferred from the Week Street branch which recently closed.
In August 2018, when the planning application was being considered, the 300 jobs figure was important because part of the planning site was designated in the Local Plan for employment use, such as offices or light industrial and not retail. Council planning officers at the time argued that the borough could ignore that aspect of its own policy because the jobs would make up for the loss. At the time of the council’s planning committee meeting, M&G Real Estate, which operates the Fremlin Walk shopping centre, warned: “It is unclear how many new jobs will actually be created by the proposal, if the existing staff are to be relocated or how the proposal could increase overall employment capacity on the site.”
But the company’s warning went unheeded by the councillors on the planning committee who voted unanimously in favour of the development. At the time, the planning officers accepted the out-of-town store would “have some negative impact upon Maidstone town centre and other local retail centres”.
But they said that an offer of £300,000 from the developer towards the council’s town centre public realm projects would mitigate that.
When we asked both Maidstone council and M&S to respond, both provided statements praising the new store but neither addressed the jobs issue.
Councillors were more vocal. Cllr Robert Eves (Con) said: “I am very disappointed in what has happened.
“I’m aware that retailers like M&S are struggling. However, they committed to this project, made a big song and dance about it and now they’ve gone back on their promises.
“This is something we must prevent from happening in Maidstone and we must look to not only protect current employees within the town and borough, but also look to increase opportunities for those needing jobs.”
Cllr Keith Adkinson (Lab) added: “Unfortunately, these sorts of jobs promises are often made as one of the means of persuading planners that a scheme should go ahead.
“While it is disappointing the promised jobs have not materialised, it’s a good thing that M&S still think that Maidstone is a good place to build their latest store.”
M&S announced this week it was to shed 7,000 jobs across the country to “make the firm stronger”.
Which stores will be affected has not been revealed.