Marks and Spencer
The popular multi-purpose retailer Marks and Spencer will close its Broadway Shopping Centre branch in West Yorkshire on Saturday, May 18th. The closure is part of the company’s plans to shake up its store portfolio. Despite the disappointment expressed by customers on social media, the company maintains that its goal is to ensure it has the right stores in the right place with the right space. While the Bradford Broadway Shopping Centre branch will close, customers can still shop at Marks & Spencer branches at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bingley, and Ilkley, as well as Owlcotes at Pudsey, and online.
Costa Coffee
A popular Costa branch in Uppingham will also close by the end of the month. The Rutland site is known for its cozy atmosphere and loyal customers, but all staff members will be redeployed to other stores. Once the Uppingham branch closes, Costa fans in the area will need to travel seven miles to their nearest location.
House of Fraser
The long-standing British department store House of Fraser has minimized its number of physical stores to just shy of 30. The branch in Carlisle will close down for good after announcing a closing-down sale. An exact closure date has not yet been revealed, but it is expected before the end of the month. Once the store closes, the Cafe Nero branch inside will also close.
These store closures are the latest in a series of high-profile retail closures on UK high streets. Factors such as changing shopping habits and the rise of e-commerce have contributed to the decline of brick-and-mortar retail. As a result, many major retailers have been forced to close stores or downsize their operations.
