‘Huge disappointment’ as Marks & Spencer shuts down ‘always busy’ store in blow to UK village

A POPULAR Marks and Spencer location has pulled its shutters for the final time today. Shoppers will no longer be able to visit the “always busy” store in a huge blow to a UK village. Marks and Spencer closed a popular high street location today (stock image) Credit: Getty The M&S on Banstead High Street pulled the shutters for the final time today Credit: Google The M&S Simply Food store on Banstead High Street in Surrey previously confirmed its final day of business would be Saturday, August 22. It came after the brand said the location is one of its smallest stores and is not viable, according to posts on social media. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Residents have described the closure as “really sad”, with one shopper telling the Express that the news has been a “huge disappointment for people living around here”. While other outlets on Banstead’s high street have recently shut their doors, M&S has suggested it may not be leaving the town for good. The brand is reportedly looking for a larger premises elsewhere in the town. M&S confirmed the latest update, with a spokesperson saying the chain is “keen to find a new, bigger location in Banstead”. According to social media users in the area, no relocation premises has been identified yet. Residents also shared that it is “widely suspected that the level of shoplifting in the shop was the final straw that persuaded M&S to close”. Most read in Money It comes after the brand recently closed two popular locations despite petitions from shoppers. Earlier this month, M&S also shut a 22,000 square-foot store on a busy high street. Comment now