Is my local Marks & Spencer closing, and what’s behind the M&S store closures?
How will you be affected by the new plans and when do the closures start?
Marks & Spencer has announced the first six stores to close in a review of its estate expected to see more than 60 branches shut over five years.
The first closures will impact 380 staff with the retailer saying all will be offered positions in other stores.
In total it is anticipated more than 2,000 jobs will be affected in the shake up as the brand focuses on its more successful Simply Food stores.
Why is Marks & Spencer closing stores?
M&S posted a drop of 80 percent in half-year profits and new CEO, Steve Rowe is under pressure to turn things around.
He took over in April 2016 and has already announced a planned cut of 500 head office jobs.
Rowe is now planning to refocus the business, with particular emphasis on the more profitable Simply Food branch.
Marks & Spencer is also planning on closing international stores that aren't doing well, along with about 60 UK clothing and homeware stores over the next five years.
In April 2017 the company announced the first six stores earmarked for closure.
Alongside that announcement Mr Rowe said 36 new stores - 34 of which will be food only - will open in the next six months creating more than 1,400 jobs.
Is my local M&S closing?
The first stores earmarked for closure are Monks Cross, near York, Portsmouth, Slough, Warrington, Wokingham and Worksop.
The company has not revealed which other stores are being considered for closure.
The programme is running over five years and each store will be reviewed individually.
Some stores may change from clothing or homeware to Simply Food or be relocated, and Rowe said there shoppers should see an increased M&S presence and more jobs created.
When will we know more details?
Marks & Spencer is remaining very tight-lipped about future announcements.
The scheme will cost approximately £350million will take until at least 2021.
