Marks & Spencer confirms permanent closure of fire-ravaged store in UK shopping centre

M&S has confirmed that it will not reopen a popular branch after it was destroyed in a fire earlier this year. The news has left locals devastated, with many branding it a “shame” and a “sad day” for the area. A huge blaze ripped through Thurmaston Shopping Centre in the early hours of the morning Credit: Lewis Cook/Storyful The posh-nosh maker has revealed that it does not have a plan to reopen its site in Thurmaston Shopping Centre. The site in Leicester was damaged in the blaze back in June, with other stores in the retail unit, including a Greggs and a Cardfactory, also destroyed. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! At its height, eight fire engines were in attendance, along with two aerial appliances and more than 40 firefighters. No one was injured in the incident. Laura Arnold, regional manager at M&S, said the store would remain closed after it assessed the damage caused by the fire. A statement read: “We know this decision is disappointing news for local customers and I’d like to thank everyone who has shopped at the store over the past 16 years and all of our colleagues. “Our priority is now continuing conversations with the store team and we will work as hard as we can to redeploy colleagues to nearby stores. “We hope to bring a new M&S store to north Leicester in the future but in the meantime, we will continue working hard to serve customers at our Fosse Park, Oadby and Loughborough stores.” Leicestershire Police also reported that three boys, who were arrested on suspicion of arson, remained on bail. Most read in Money Comment now