Major manufacturers M&S and WHSmith announce extra closures in new UK excessive avenue blow
Britain’s high street is set for more pain after two huge brands confirmed more store closures. Following on from the likes of Morphe, Ted Baker, TGI Fridays and more being eviscerated from our high streets for good, WHSmith and Marks and Spencer have confirmed that they are adding to the pain by closing more stores.
The former, which announced closures of 300 stores by the end of 2024 earlier this year, has now confirmed that it will continue its closures into 2025.
READ MORE: Major high street brand shutters several stores as bosses announce ‘mega sale’
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
(Image: GoogleMaps)
The imminent closure of the Rhyl High Street store has left locals deeply disappointed. The seaside resort town centre in Wales will witness the final closure of WHSmith’s doors in the new year, marking another devastating blow for residents who have seen the branch as a staple on their high street for many years.
A spokesperson for WHSmith confirmed: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Rhyl will be closing on Saturday, February 15, 2025. It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from this location, and the decision has been made to close the store due to the forthcoming lease expiry.”
Marks and Spencer has also confirmed one of its stores will close, with the branch in Queensway, Crawley closing for good on November 16.
(Image: Andrew Neil)
Graham Bennett, M&S regional manager, said: “After consulting with our colleagues following our proposals earlier this year, our Queensway store will close on Saturday, November 16. Thank you to all our customers who have shopped at the store – we will continue to work hard serving you at our nearby Acorn Park M&S Food.
”Shopping habits are changing and our store rotation strategy is all about making sure we have the right stores with the right space – in the past year we have invested more than £12m in our stores across the South East. We remain open to investing in a new, accessible M&S store in Crawley in the future, subject to being able to find the right type of site.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
