'˜Scarborough can't lose its M&S store

The retailer said that around 60 clothing and home stores so that it can focus on food, meaning Scarborough’s Newborough store could be at risk.

It comes as Marks & Spencer announced an 18.6 per cent plunge in underlying half-year profits to £231.3 million while bottom-line profits crashed 88.4 per cent to 
£25.1 million.

Nick Taylor, Scarborough Council’s investment manager, believes Marks & Spencer is a fundamental part of Scarborough’s town centre.

He said: “I moved here around 30 years ago and I was surprised to see such a big national retailer in a small seaside town. It was actually the final piece of the jigsaw in me moving here. People are moving in to online shopping and it is a shame to see a big retailer closing down stores. It would be a huge loss to the town to lose its Marks & Spencer.

“It is a big employer with very friendly and attentive staff during my visits and it is vital it stays in Scarborough.”

M&S said it will close around 30 of its 304 full-line stores – selling clothing and home as well as food – and downsize or replace around 45 shops to Simply Food outlets.

It will also relocate some other outlets, while opening other stores in so-called 
under-served areas.

The site of the Scarborough store was where Edward Harland was born in 1831.He later went on to become a shipbuilder and the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast made the Titanic.