Shops / News
M&S to leave Broadmead after almost 70 years
Marks & Spencer have blamed changing shopping habits for the closure of its shop in Bristol city centre.
The shop in Broadmead, which first opened in 1952, is scheduled to close in January 2022 following a consultation with employees.
The news comes as the Debenhams only a few hundred yards away remains empty after closing in May.
is needed now More than ever
Marks & Spencer in Broadmead opened in 1952 – photo: Martin Booth
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.”
“Changing shopping habits” have been blamed for the shop’s closure – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees tweeted: “Sad to see M&S planning to join Debenhams in leaving Broadmead, amid a national retail crisis
“As we work to protect jobs and businesses, we will continue to invest in revitalising Bristol’s city centre and high streets offer.”
Architectural designer Aaron Davies said: “We will see a lot of big players shedding portfolio assets in favour of development into residential accommodation. Mixed use developments based around small commercial units – 50 to 200m2 each, with residential included, is a winner. If banks support it!”
Freelance copywriter Tina Badley summed up the feeling of many: “Now I’ll have to drive to Cribbs for Percy Pigs.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: 20 photos of Broadmead from the 1950s, 60s & 70s
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