News / Broadmead
Signage removed after major Broadmead store closes doors for final time
A blank façade now hangs over the doors to the Broadmead store that was home to M&S for 70 years.
The retail giant announced the planned closure of its only shop in Bristol city centre last year, blaming changing shopping habits.
Shoppers on Monday morning passed by the empty entrance to the store that first opened in 1952 before shutting its doors for the final time at the weekend.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) wasted no time in removing the signage above the premises that overlook The Horsefair at one side and Broadmead’s central shopping area on the other. All that remains is a large temporary sign in the window of the store informing customers of the closure and directing people to the nearest M&S.
M&S in Broadmead closed its door for the final time – photo: Ellie Pipe
The loss of the major retail giant is another blow to the area, with Debenhams among the big names to have closed last year, although a number of new and independent stores have recently opened.
In a statement in October, M&S regional manager, John Dorrington, said: “Shopping habits are changing, so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores to offer our customers a brilliant shopping experience.
“As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our proposal to close our M&S Bristol store at 78 Broadmead in January 2022.
“Our priority now is to talk to our colleagues about what this announcement means for them and wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with M&S.
“We appreciate that this will be disappointing news for some, and we would like to thank all our customers who have shopped with us in the store.
“We will be working hard to keep serving them in our 17 stores across the South West including Cribbs Causeway and Longwell Green.”
M&S first opened in Broadmead in 1952 – photo: Ellie Pipe
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read more: The changing face of Broadmead
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