Marks & Spencer has detailed proposals to shut nine stores as part of its drive to optimise space across its estate.
The affected stores comprise three full-line branches in London’s Wood Green, Stevenage in Hertfordshire and The Fort Birmingham, along with five outlet stores – Hounslow, Pontypridd, Aldershot, Walsall and North Shields Royal Quays.
One Simply Food store in Shirley, near Solihull, will also close.
Marks & Spencer will offer all the staff at the stores redeployment if the proposed closures go ahead.
It does not intend to add net general merchandise space this financial year and is focusing on improving the quality of existing space.
The retailer is still adding square footage at pace at its food division.
An M&S spokesman said: “We are managing our store estate to ensure it is fit for the future of M&S and will continue to ensure we’re in the best locations to serve our customers.
“As we said at our prelim results, we have a clear property strategy which includes opening 250 Food stores and further improving the quality of our general merchandise space.”
The retailer has approximately 850 UK stores.
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