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Residents say “the future is bleak” as Marks and Spencer officially announced when its latest store closure. The department store has now officially announced that the Crawley branch , which has been in Queensway for decades, will close its doors for good on November 16. 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.” When the news of the closing date was announced residents shared concerns as to what this could mean for their town. Jackie Brown said:” Terrible decision as Crawley is a huge town.
There will be no town to go to soon. M&S Crawley branch will close on November 16 (Image: Google) “The future is bleak for those who love to actually go shopping, browse, try things on and mingle with other human beings.” Another resident, John Griffin, said: “Online shopping along with high car parking charges are killing off high street shopping.
” Retailer M&S had outlined plans to shut its Crawley branch in March, the closure is said to be part of the retailer's plans to meet changing shopping habits. Residents shared concerns as to what this could mean for their town (Image: James Manning/PA Wire) Kara Harper shared her concern for the staff at M&S, she said: “There will be no town and no shopping left. What’s happening to the staff? “Some have been there years and are loyal.
” When asked about the future of staff members of the Crawley branch, Mr Bennet said: “Individual conversations are continuing with our colleagues and wherever possible, we will be offering them alternative roles with M&S.” Resident Susy Fra said: “Not many shops left and more going all the time.” Mr Bennett added: ”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.”.
