Blow for Solihull as M&S to close
SOLIHULL town centre has been dealt a blow after Marks & Spencer revealed it is to close its store there.
The multi-level store has been a familiar fixture in Mell Square for decades but will close ‘as shopping habits change’, claim bosses.
However, the retail chain’s Simply Food store in Sears Retail Park, Shirley, will be hugely expanded, it has been announced.
It is thought that M&S will expand into the former Homebase unit there.
An M&S spokesman said: “As part of plans to reorganise our estate in the Midlands, we will be closing the store in Mell Square.
“We have informed
colleagues who will all be moving expanded store in Shirley.”
Andy Barber, M&S head of region for West Midlands, said: “Shopping habits are changing, so we’re reshaping our store estate to ensure it meets the needs of customers today and those of tomorrow. As part of this transformation, we will be expanding our M&S Sears Retail Park store to offer customers a bigger and better food offer, a new clothing department and a large M&S Cafe. The new store will be finished during summer 2021 and, in line with the expansion, our existing store on Mell Square in Solihull will close once the development is complete.”
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The M&S store on the Sears Retail Park is its second venture in Shirley. The chain did have a Simply Food store on Stratford Road at the far end of Shirley but it closed with the opening of the Sears Retail Park outlet.
Mr Barber added: “We appreciate this will be disappointing news for some, but we believe this is the right decision to ensure a sustainable future in Solihull and the best possible offer for customers.
“All our Mell Square colleagues will move across to our expanded Sears Retail Park store when it opens and we will keep the community updated as the works progress.”