Yahoo News Walworth M&S store closes after 111 years leaving locals 'devastated' after losing 'heartbeat of community'
A 'very much loved' Marks & Spencer store in London is the latest to close following an extensive restructuring plan. The M&S on Walworth Road in Southwark closed its doors for the last time on Saturday, June 8.
The store had been a staple of Walworth Road for 111 years, making it a landmark for many. Residents past and present have taken to X to share their memories of the store.
One person wrote: "What a terrible shame. I grew up in the area. A great loss to the area." And another said: "Sad news this. Family members worked in this M&S. A real heartbeat of the Walworth Road Community. Will definitely be missed."
On social media, the Walworth Society captured the store's last day, and said a big cheer was had for the "wonderful" staff. On X, they wrote: "Sad moment as after 111 years the doors shut on the Walworth Rd M&S for the last time.
"But rousing send off to the wonderful M&S staff from a large number of local people and words of thanks to them for the amazing service they have given over so many years."
Another local said the M&S store was a "lifesaver for fresh veg during lockdowns when all the nearby stores were struggling with stock". Labour peer Lord Kennedy also took to X to share his sadness at the store's closure.
He said: "So sad to see the @marksandspencer store on Walworth Road closing today for the last time. It served the community in Walworth and was very much loved by local people who shopped there for generations."
When Marks & Spencer announced that the Walworth Road store was earmarked for closure earlier in the year, residents were left devastated. Speaking to MyLondon, Anne Purcell, who was visiting the store with her daughter Catherine Durkin, said the loss of Marks and Spencer from the high street would be ‘terrible’ for Walworth. She said: “It’s so essential. It’s always so busy - especially at the weekends.
“I’ve been coming here for 25 years. I come in for fruit and groceries mostly and I buy some clothes as well.” Her daughter, Catherine, added: “It’s such a shame. It’s handy for mum because it’s not too far for her to travel on her own and it’s less busy than in Central London.”
June O’Shea, 61, said she was worried about the gap the store’s absence would leave on the street. She said: “It’s devastating for the Walworth Road. Marks and Spencer draws people from all around here.
“It’s going to bring the high street down not having it here. I think it has had a problem with shoplifting. I see it more and more around here.”
In March, Gordon Scott, regional manager at Marks and Spencer, said: “Shopping habits are changing, so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores with the right space to offer customers a brilliant shopping experience. As part of this transformation, last week we announced to colleagues our proposal to close the M&S Walworth Road store.
“Our priority right now is talking to colleagues about what the announcement means for them. Should the proposals go ahead, wherever possible we will offer them alternative roles with M&S. Over the last two years alone, we have invested over £23 million in our stores across London.”
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