M&S, Superdry and The Works announce permanent change from 'today'

A number of high street giants are shutting some of their stores permanently today, marking another blow for the UK's retail landscape. The British high street has been under immense pressure in recent years, and the ongoing cost of living crisis is exacerbating the situation as consumers cut back on spending.

Retailers have pointed to a drop in sales as one of the reasons behind the closures. Among those making changes are some of the biggest retail names - including Marks and Spencer and The Works.

Some of the closures are due to strategic business decisions or leases expiring. We've compiled a list of all the shops that are closing down across the country today, so you can see if your go-to store is among them.

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M&S

M&S is saying goodbye to its Queensgate Shopping Centre location in Peterborough on April 20. The closure was initially scheduled for January but got postponed, reports the Mirror.

Previously John Lewis' flagship store for four decades, M&S took over the premises in 2021. Spanning three floors, it featured a food hall, an MandS cafe, and a Bureau de Change.

With this closure, shoppers will have to visit the nearest M&S outlets at Serpentine Green Foodhall or Brotherhood Retail Park. M&S regional manager Craig Burton cited "changing shopping habits" as the reason for the shutdown, stating that MandS needs to "rotate" its store portfolio.

The company is in the process of reducing its "full line" stores from 247 to just 180. The planned closures will continue until 2028, with around nine more stores expected to follow the Peterborough branch's closure. The next store on the chopping block is the retailer's Neath branch in Wales, set to close its doors next month.

Superdry

Fashion retailer Superdry is also set to close its Dundee store today. The Overgate shopping centre branch will shut for good at 6pm after a 12-year tenure.

Local reports suggest another retailer will take over the site by October, but it remains unclear how many jobs have been affected by the closure.

Earlier this week, Superdry announced plans to delist from the London Stock Exchange as part of wider restructuring efforts. The cost-saving plan includes negotiating lower rents on 39 of its UK locations and extending the maturity date on significant loans.

The company also aims to boost sales by "enhancing product ranges" and "reallocating marketing spend".

However, the retailer warned that failure to implement these plans could lead to administration, potentially putting hundreds of stores at risk - including 100 in the UK.

The Works

The Works, a discount store selling arts and crafts, gifts, toys, and stationery, will be shutting down its Swansea branch in Fforestfach Retail Park today. The closure is due to the company's inability to agree on suitable lease terms.

All staff will be redeployed to nearby stores, including the Quadrat Shopping Centre in Swansea.

The spokesperson added: "We constantly review our property portfolio to ensure we have the right mix of stores in the right locations to best serve our customers."

"This occasionally means closing stores, whilst also improving our stores with refits or relocations if a more favourable site becomes available. We're always on the lookout for new locations too and have a handful of new openings planned in the coming months."