Marks and Spencer has announced that it is closing its Redhill store. The retailer is also considering closing its Belfry Centre store, citing changing shopping habits as the reason for the move.
As well as being a food hall, the Redhill site will also have a clothing department, footwear and the ability to click and collect travel money. The proposal is currently being discussed and details such as when the store will close will be confirmed if the idea goes ahead.
The potential closure comes as M&S prepares to open a new food hall at Ladymead in Guildford, in addition to the larger existing store in the town centre. Should the Redhill site close, there will be a Simply Food in nearby Reigate.
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While the Redhill store may close, the high street band is considering opening a new M&S indoor market elsewhere in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead.
Graham Bennett, regional manager at M&S, said: “We have shared our proposal to close the M&S store in Redhill with our colleagues. Shopping habits are changing, so we are rotating the number of our stores to ensure we have the right stores of the right size to give customers the best possible shopping experience.”
“Our priority now is to talk to our colleagues about what this announcement means for them and, should the proposal go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles within M&S where possible.
“Over the last year we have invested more than £12.5 million in our stores across the South East and we continue to invest in opening new stores such as our upcoming Foodhall in Guildford Ladymead.
“We are open to the idea of investing in a new M&S Foodhall in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead in the future, provided we find the right location.”
“We recognise that this closure proposal will be disappointing news for some customers and we would like to thank all our customers who have shopped at the store over the years. We will continue to work hard to serve them in our nearby stores in Reigate and Banstead, in local convenience stores and online at marksandspencer.com.”
Reacting to the news of the closure, Belfry Centre Manager Andy Nash commented: “We are of course sad to hear that M&S has taken the decision to begin consultations about closing their Redhill store, which has been a hugely popular choice with our customers over the past 33 years.
“The Belfry has continually evolved over the years as consumer habits have changed and it will continue to evolve as new stores open all the time. While it will be disappointing to lose M&S, the overall picture for the centre remains extremely positive with more visitors using the centre and staying longer. We have strong enquiries which we will of course now pursue further.
“The Belfry is busier than ever and the town itself is thriving with the introduction of hybrid working practices and the opening of the new Rise complex in Redhill last year, which includes The Light cinema and leisure facility. We wish all Redhill M&S staff the best during the consultation process and beyond and are confident of welcoming new tenants to the centre in due course.
“While we await clarity from M&S regarding the future of their Redhill business, we will ensure we keep everyone updated with announcements via our website and social media channels.”
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