MARKS AND SPARKLE
Final hours for beloved M&S store set to close after 80 years – exact date replacement superstore will open nearby soon
M&S bosses say the retailer 'will not leave city centres'
THERE are just a few hours left of trading before a beloved M&S store closes for good after 80 years.
M&S has confirmed Murraygate Dundee, which opened in 1936, will shut for the final time at the end of play today.
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However, it is not all bad news as the high street retailer, along with the Murraygate staff, will be moving to a new superstore at Gallagher Retail Park on July 16.
The move marks the end of an era for the Murraygate store, which led locals to express disappointment.
One person said: "Sad to see it close."
Another said: "The obvious concern is what will happen to the Murraygate store premises ? What are M&S and/or the city council going to do to help find a new use for it? Another big empty building is the last thing the Murraygate needs."
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One post on Instagram read: "What will become of this vast building now? It is to be hoped some other use may be found; but with the progressive death of our city centres I fear the worst."
There was also concern that some locals could not reach the new store on public transport.
And now shoppers have been told they can expect to pick up incredible deals when the new store opens at 9am on July 16.
The new outlet – which is part of a £30million investment in its Scottish stores by M&S – combines the former DW Sports and Mothercare units at the retail park.
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It will be a mixture of food, clothing and beauty and will also include a cafe.
M&S says the new “fresh-market style foodhall” is 40 percent larger than the Murraygate store.
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It will also have an in-store bakery, a dedicated flower shop and a wine shop.
Mary Power, store manager of the new M&S Dundee outlet, said: “We are really excited to announce that the new M&S Dundee store will open on the 16th July.
"I can’t wait to open the doors and welcome the local community in so they can see the very best of M&S for themselves.
"I’ve worked for M&S for a long time, starting my career in the city of Dundee and I’m delighted to be bringing a great team of experienced colleagues from our current stores to the new one.
"Customers will reap the benefits of their knowledge when it comes to selecting products and knowing brands."
It comes as bosses at Marks & Spencer said they will not “leave city centres” following criticism from shareholders over moving some stores to out-of-town developments.
It came as the retail giant announced plans to invest £38million in major new high street stores in Bath and Bristol at its annual general meeting in West London.
The retailer has undergone a sweeping overhaul under chief executive Stuart Machin, and previous boss Steve Rowe, which saw the group shake up its store estate.
In 2019, the group launched 110 store closures as part of the plans, affecting a number of its longstanding high street shops.
The group’s bosses were asked whether they have “given up on the high street” at the AGM on Tuesday, amid concerns they are shifting increasingly towards retail parks.
Archie Norman, chairman of the business, said: “No, we haven’t given up on the high street.
“We have a very important store rotation programme but we are absolutely not trying to leave city centres – that has never been our intention.
“We do have some older stores that are hard and costly to maintain and run so we have to look at that.”
Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, said the programme of closures, refurbishments and relocations follows a previous lack of necessary investment.
“Our store rotation is really a catch-up programme on the last 20 years as we have previously underinvested,” he said.
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On Tuesday, the retailer confirmed that it is investing £17million in a new store in the centre of Bath, and £21million on a new flagship store in central Bristol.
It said these are expected to create around 150 jobs.
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