Marks & Spencer Shuts Historic Bath Store and 14 Cafés Amid High Street Decline
Marks & Spencer has closed its legendary Stall Street store in Bath, which had been operating for an impressive 93 years. The historic branch shut its doors permanently as the retailer transitions to a new flagship outlet at SouthGate in Bath, where all employees have been successfully relocated. This move marks a significant shift for the beloved high street chain, reflecting broader changes in the retail landscape.
Additional Café Closures Announced
In addition to the Bath store closure, Marks & Spencer has confirmed the shutdown of 14 in-store cafés across the United Kingdom. One notable closure is the café in Barn Road, Congleton, Cheshire, which will be repurposed to create space for additional product offerings. The chain's regional manager, Katie Whelan, stated: "After reviewing our Congleton store, we are re-purposing the café space in-store to provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience. We understand this will be disappointing news for some of our customers; however, our teams will continue working hard to serve them in-store."
List of M&S Closures
Stores Closing:
- Stall Street store, Bath - closed on February 3
Cafés Closing:
- Crawley, West Sussex
- Dunblane, Stirling, Scotland
- Congleton, Cheshire
- Stone, Staffordshire
- Anlaby, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
- Bidston Moss
- Bishop Auckland
- South Aylesford, Kent
- Strood Retail Park, Kent
- Whitstable, Kent
- Canterbury, Kent
- Sittingbourne Retail Park
Expansion Plans Despite Closures
Despite these closures, Marks & Spencer maintains ambitious expansion plans. The retailer aims to launch 500 new outlets throughout England in the coming years. Several new stores have already opened or are scheduled to open in 2026, including:
- Bath Southgate (full-line) - opened on February 4
- Putney High Street (food) - opened on February 25
- Hatfield Oldings Corner (food) - date to be confirmed
- Luton Bramingham (food) - date to be confirmed
- Farnham (food) - date to be confirmed
- Abingdon Fairacres (food) - date to be confirmed
- Godalming (food) - date to be confirmed
The Original Factory Shop Enters Administration
In a parallel development, The Original Factory Shop has entered administration, leading to the closure of its three Northern Ireland outlets. The affected branches in Ballycastle, Portrush, and Warrenpoint have initiated closing down sales. The retailer recently shuttered its Prudhoe outlet in Northumberland as well. The company cited significant cost inflation, shifting shopping habits, and rising expenses as key factors impacting the business.
The cherished discount department store, which first opened in England in 1969 and once operated approximately 10 outlets in Northern Ireland at its peak, expressed gratitude in a statement: "Whilst this is not the outcome we would have hoped for, we are incredibly grateful for the loyalty, kindness, and support you have shown our team."
Widespread Store Closures Across the UK
The Original Factory Shop has a extensive list of locations at risk of closure, spanning across Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. Notable towns and cities include Abergele in Wales, Alnwick in Northumberland, Annan in Scotland, and many others. This widespread threat underscores the severe challenges facing the retail sector, with high streets continuing to decline and more closures anticipated in the coming years.
The Mirror has reached out to The Original Factory Shop for further comment on the situation. These developments highlight a turbulent period for UK retailers, as they navigate economic pressures and evolving consumer behaviours.
