M&S closing down shop

KMK

I have always been a fan of M&S and have admired their ethical stance on many issues .However I am deeply disappointed to hear that they are about to close down their store in Redcar, a small seaside town on the north east coast. Like many places in the area the town has been really struggling during the recession. The high street in particular has suffered and now M&S, virtually the last shop of any standing, has decided to simply walk away from a site it has occupied for over 76 years.


The shop sells food and has become an Outlet. M&S claim that the outlet shopping is done mostly online via Amazon (strange partner for ethical M&S) and that Redcar will become non viable. The truth is it will have an adverse effect on the town and according to staff there the shop still makes a profit. 44 people will lose their jobs and many customers , including me, will have to travel 13 miles to the nearest M&S.


I know that M&S is not a charity, but over the years they must have made profits from this store in the good times but now the town and customers needs some support, they are going to pull out.


I have contacted the Head Office but it looks like a fait accompli. Has anyone any advice on how to effectively protest in such a situation or is it pointless?

bluenoseam

Pointless, ultimately they're not making money now so there's no point in hanging round - not like they're the ONLY supermarket/food shop in Redcar. Without meaning to sound rude, first world problems...

marliepanda

They are planning on moving a lot of the staff to Teesside Park, Middlesbrough and Cleveland Retail. So not all staff will lose their jobs, I know that they are doing their best to move the staff as best they can (plus the new James Cook one thats just opened)

They are not taking any new staff in those new stores until they have moved the others (if they want to move)

Its a fact of life, they cant keep open stores which aren't viable. I am honestly surprised the Redcar one has lasted so long. The millions they poured into the seafront havent revitalised half of what they thought it would.

(source: used to work there, most of my friends still do so was being told about the staffing changes)

Edit to add: The Redcar MnS is only 6.6 miles away from Cleveland retail park, not a huge distance. I assume you already travel 6 to go to the Redcar one. Not everyone will be travelling 13 miles, people will be travelling an additional 6.6.

T0mmyh

marliepanda wrote: »

Edit to add: The Redcar MnS is only 6.6 miles away from Cleveland retail park, not a huge distance. I assume you already travel 6 to go to the Redcar one. Not everyone will be travelling 13 miles, people will be travelling an additional 6.6.

So there and back... 13 miles... Or are you suggesting people drive there and don't go back?

marliepanda

T0mmyh wrote: »

So there and back... 13 miles... Or are you suggesting people drive there and don't go back?

The OP says 'travel 13 miles TO the nearest MnS'

TO, not there and back. Yes I'm being pedantic, but it reads a lot worse than saying, 'the nearest MnS is 6 and a half miles away'

Anyway, like I said, I am in no way surprised that its closing down, I'm more surprised Redcar still has a MnS.

mije1983

Even if the staff are aware that the store currently makes a proft (and I'm not positive they would know that information for sure), it could be that M&S rent the building and the lease is up for renewal. If their profits in Redcar have been on a downward slope in recent years, it wouldn't make sense for them to commit to another another lease during which they could quickly turn unprofitable.

As you say, they are not a charity, and if they were making money and were confident it would continue, I can't imagine they would chose to close.

Pollycat

KMK wrote: »

I know that M&S is not a charity, but over the years they must have made profits from this store in the good times but now the town and customers needs some support, they are going to pull out.

I have contacted the Head Office but it looks like a fait accompli. Has anyone any advice on how to effectively protest in such a situation or is it pointless?

M&S will have considered the future of this store long and hard before making their decision.

There is no way of 'effectively' protesting against the close-down.

System

OP- what "ethical stance" ? they buy their clothes from wherever just like other retailers.
They used to have an advantage years ago when they sold British made clothing but once they went overseas the quality and the style went down hill rapidly.

KMK

Actually I only live about a mile away from the Redcar store and visit regularly. The nearest store with food and clothing will be M'bro which is about 13 miles away.


I have heard that permission for the new M&S food store at Skippers Lane (6 miles from Redcar) was given only on condition that the Redcar store was not closed. Clearly that hasn't happened. Bit like Kraft and their empty promise.


I was in the store on Friday and the staff seemed very depressed about the closure. I would have thought a firm the size of M&S could have persevered a bit longer with Redcar, given its 76 year history there and the situation of the town. Clearly profits are an issue, although the staff were adamant the store is in profit. But big profits aren't everything.....are they? The shop has a prime site overlooking the sea but it no doubt needs up grading.


Looks like the end of an era. Sad really. Still disappointed with M&S's decision.

marliepanda

Its not true about the permissions, yes they said it wouldnt affect it, but they never guaranteed anything.

With a brand new store only 6 miles away, refurbishing the Redcar store won't be cost effective

brightonman123

start #SaveRedCarMandS on twitter!