Stop the closures of Marks & Spencer stores

Marks & Spencer have announced plans to close a number of stores across the UK, including one in the Broadway Shopping Centre, Bradford. Now, whilst nobody would argue that businesses need to weigh up footfall and profit margins, I believe this is not the reason for the closure.

Staff at this store have been advised that, “we are making profit, but not as much as we should be and by closing this store (and removing the high running costs), we believe we can get more profit instead from alternative local stores”. This is unacceptable.

If this shop is making a profit, why close such a flagship store, putting people out of work and seriously inconveniencing customers that use it? It isn’t always convenient for customers to visit the alternative stores in Birstall, Pudsey or Halifax, especially the older demographic.

More needs to be done to stop profitable stores from being closed down