Latest news with #CalumTelford
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disappointment as M&S store at risk of closure
Shoppers in Wolverhampton have said they fear for the future of the high street after news the local M&S store could close. The firm said on Thursday that it was just a proposal, but admitted the store had been underperforming for a while. One resident said it came as a "huge disappointment", adding that she feared that if confirmed by M&S it could affect the city centre as a whole. "It's pivotal - if they go, no one's going to come here," she said. "I worry because it looks dismal now - well it's getting there. There used to be a lot of well known brands here, and it's just not going to be a town any more. "You'll find more people will stay indoors, and do their shopping online. If Marks and Spencer go, game over." Others in the town were more understanding about the potential closure, saying they already used the Merry Hill store, rather than the one in Wolverhampton. Shopper Jordan said: "I use Merry Hill more often than not, it's more convenient. You can run in, run out no hassle." Her friend Abby added: "It affects the local area, there is no parking, that's the issue. "You get loads of random shops now - you can see it's all becoming the same stuff." Another shopper said the news from M&S was "very disappointing". "There's hardly anything left in Wolverhampton, it used to be a great town," they said. "This place has died a death now, it's so sad." The regional manager for Marks & Spencer, Calum Telford, thanked customers for their support and said the brand's priority was "continuing conversations with colleagues", adding that the firm was working with City of Wolverhampton Council to find a site for a new store. Councillor Chris Burden, council cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said he was "disappointed" by the news but fully understood M&S's "difficult decision". Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Wolverhampton Marks & Spencer at risk of closure M&S store evacuated after carbon dioxide leak M&S restarts online orders after cyber attack MS
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Shoppers react to Wolverhampton M&S store at risk of closure
Shoppers in Wolverhampton have said they fear for the future of the high street after news the local M&S store could firm said on Thursday that it was just a proposal, but admitted the store had been underperforming for a resident said it came as a "huge disappointment", adding that she feared that if confirmed by M&S it could affect the city centre as a whole."It's pivotal - if they go, no one's going to come here," she said. "I worry because it looks dismal now - well it's getting there. There used to be a lot of well known brands here, and it's just not going to be a town any more. "You'll find more people will stay indoors, and do their shopping online. If Marks and Spencer go, game over." Others in the town were more understanding about the potential closure, saying they already used the Merry Hill store, rather than the one in Jordan said: "I use Merry Hill more often than not, it's more convenient. You can run in, run out no hassle." Her friend Abby added: "It affects the local area, there is no parking, that's the issue. "You get loads of random shops now - you can see it's all becoming the same stuff."Another shopper said the news from M&S was "very disappointing"."There's hardly anything left in Wolverhampton, it used to be a great town," they said."This place has died a death now, it's so sad." The regional manager for Marks & Spencer, Calum Telford, thanked customers for their support and said the brand's priority was "continuing conversations with colleagues", adding that the firm was working with City of Wolverhampton Council to find a site for a new Chris Burden, council cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said he was "disappointed" by the news but fully understood M&S's "difficult decision". Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
M&S confirms flagship store closure in major UK city as part of £500m plan
The store on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton, has been open since 1929 but has been performing 'less well' after not recovering fully from the Covid pandemic Marks and Spencer is closing one of its flagship department stores after almost 100 years. The store on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton, has been open since 1929 but has been performing "less well" after not recovering fully from the Covid pandemic. The supermarket chain has now launched a consultation with the affected workers at the store, the lease of which had been due to expire in 2027. Disappointed shoppers have been reacting to the news on social media. One person said: "It's the only reason to go into town." Another person commented: "Nail in the coffin." A third said: "Nothing to go to town for when it's gone!!" Calum Telford, regional manager at M&S, has explained the reasons behind the closure: "Our UK-wide store rotation programme is all about reshaping for growth and making sure every M&S store delivers the best possible shopping experience for our customers. "That's why we have made the tough decision to propose the closure of our Dudley Street store. Sadly, the store has been performing less well for a long period of time and has never fully recovered from the Covid pandemic. "We remain committed to Wolverhampton and are working closely with the city council to find a suitable alternative food location." He added: "I appreciate this will be disappointing news for customers who have shopped with us at the store over the years and I would like to thank them for their support. "Our priority is continuing conversations with colleagues about what this announcement means for them and if the proposals go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles at M&S wherever possible." It comes as part of wider plans announced by M&S in October 2022 to focus more on its food-only stores. M&S wants to reduce its "full line" stores from 247 to 180 by 2028, but will open 104 more Simply Food shops. M&S said it is investing almost £500million in its "store rotation programme" which will see 3,400 jobs being created. Councillor Chris Burden, Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "We're obviously disappointed by the news but fully understand M&S's difficult decision was driven by wider, changing market conditions and customer behaviour. 'We're grateful to M&S officials for the opportunity to meet with them yesterday (Tuesday) and their commitment to work with us to support staff affected. "We were also extremely heartened to hear about their continued commitment to our city. The council have pledged to work with M&S to identify suitable locations that fit their new business model. 'In the meantime, we know how unsettling this will be for staff and the city council's Wolves at Work employment support team is poised to join forces with DWP and a range of city partners to support workers and their families."
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Marks & Spencer to close 100-year-old flagship department store after ‘never recovering from Covid'
Staff have been informed of their fates CLOSING TIME Marks & Spencer to close 100-year-old flagship department store after 'never recovering from Covid' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MARKS & Spencer will close their flagship department store after almost a century in business. The store has been performing "less well for a long period of time." Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The store has "never fully recovered" since the pandemic Credit: Getty Marks & Spencer have confirmed that it will be closing its flagship store in Wolverhampton after nearly 100 years. The store on Dudley Street has been open since 1929. The store reportedly "never fully recovered" from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to M&S chiefs. Staff working at the shop were reportedly informed of the closure in a meeting. A consultation with the affected workers is set to get underway in the near future. Calum Telford, regional manager at M&S, has explained the reasons behind the closure: "Our UK-wide store rotation programme is all about reshaping for growth and making sure every M&S store delivers the best possible shopping experience for our customers. "That's why we have made the tough decision to propose the closure of our Dudley Street store. "Sadly, the store has been performing less well for a long period of time and has never fully recovered from the Covid pandemic. "We remain committed to Wolverhampton and are working closely with the city council to find a suitable alternative food location." This will happen alongside modernising works to the Merry Hill M&S branch. Shoppers run for summer's 'wow factor' denim jacket in M&S, it's set to go viral Telford added: "I appreciate this will be disappointing news for customers who have shopped with us at the store over the years and I would like to thank them for their support. "Our priority is continuing conversations with colleagues about what this announcement means for them and if the proposals go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles at M&S wherever possible." Three years ago, M&S announced it would be changing its business model. It said it intended to reduce its number of traditional department stores offering clothing, food and home products from 247 to 180, while also opening 100 new, single-function food halls by April 2026. Company Chairman Archie Norman said last month that the company was seeking to exit "struggling town centres." This came as part of a £500 million plan to update its portfolio of retail stores. The lease of the Dudley Street property had been due to expire in 2027, with Wolverhampton Council seeking talks with M&S. In response to the store's closure, Councillor Chris Burden, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "We're obviously disappointed by the news but fully understand M&S's difficult decision was driven by wider, changing market conditions and customer behaviour. 'We're grateful to M&S officials for the opportunity to meet with them yesterday (Tuesday) and their commitment to work with us to support staff affected. "We were also extremely heartened to hear about their continued commitment to our city. The council have pledged to work with M&S to identify suitable locations that fit their new business model. 'In the meantime, we know how unsettling this will be for staff and the city council's Wolves at Work employment support team is poised to join forces with DWP and a range of city partners to support workers and their families," Burden said. 'We're also keen to see the privately-owned Dudley Street site brought back into use quickly – if the proposed closure goes ahead. "It's a prime 90,000 sq ft location in the city centre and we have already reached out to the building's agent to seek a meeting with the new owner."
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Marks & Spencer to close 100-year-old flagship department store after ‘never recovering from Covid'
MARKS & Spencer will close their flagship department store after almost a century in business. The store has been performing "less well for a long period of time." 2 Marks & Spencer have confirmed that it will be closing its flagship store in Wolverhampton after nearly 100 years. The store on Dudley Street has been open since 1929. The store reportedly "never fully recovered" from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to M&S chiefs. Staff working at the shop were reportedly informed of the closure in a meeting. A consultation with the affected workers is set to get underway in the near future. Calum Telford, regional manager at M&S, has explained the reasons behind the closure: "Our UK-wide store rotation programme is all about reshaping for growth and making sure every M&S store delivers the best possible shopping experience for our customers. "That's why we have made the tough decision to propose the closure of our Dudley Street store. "Sadly, the store has been performing less well for a long period of time and has never fully recovered from the Covid pandemic. "We remain committed to Wolverhampton and are working closely with the city council to find a suitable alternative food location." This will happen alongside modernising works to the Merry Hill M&S branch. Shoppers run for summer's 'wow factor' denim jacket in M&S, it's set to go viral Telford added: "I appreciate this will be disappointing news for customers who have shopped with us at the store over the years and I would like to thank them for their support. "Our priority is continuing conversations with colleagues about what this announcement means for them and if the proposals go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles at M&S wherever possible." Three years ago, M&S announced it would be changing its business model. It said it intended to reduce its number of traditional department stores offering clothing, food and home products from 247 to 180, while also opening 100 new, single-function food halls by April 2026. Company Chairman Archie Norman said last month that the company was seeking to exit " struggling town centres." This came as part of a £500 million plan to update its portfolio of retail stores. The lease of the Dudley Street property had been due to expire in 2027, with Wolverhampton Council seeking talks with M&S. In response to the store's closure, Councillor Chris Burden, Wolverhampton Council 's cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "We're obviously disappointed by the news but fully understand M&S's difficult decision was driven by wider, changing market conditions and customer behaviour. 'We're grateful to M&S officials for the opportunity to meet with them yesterday (Tuesday) and their commitment to work with us to support staff affected. "We were also extremely heartened to hear about their continued commitment to our city. The council have pledged to work with M&S to identify suitable locations that fit their new business model. 'In the meantime, we know how unsettling this will be for staff and the city council's Wolves at Work employment support team is poised to join forces with DWP and a range of city partners to support workers and their families," Burden said. 'We're also keen to see the privately-owned Dudley Street site brought back into use quickly – if the proposed closure goes ahead. "It's a prime 90,000 sq ft location in the city centre and we have already reached out to the building's agent to seek a meeting with the new owner." 2
