M&S closing Hampshire store due to 'performance not being met'

Marks & Spencer has confirmed it will close its Simply Food store in Fleet town centre this August.

The closure is set to affect 22 staff members, with an exact date yet to be announced.

Andy Frith, regional manager at M&S said: "As we reshape for growth, we have made the tough decision to close our Fleet Simply Food store.

"The store's performance has sadly not been where it needs to be and as one of our smallest stores across the UK, we are not able to offer the very best of M&S Food."

M&S Fleet (Image: Google Maps)

Mr Frith added that they are keen to find a larger alternative location in Fleet in the future.

The closure has been criticised by North East Hampshire MP Alex Brewer, who has written to the company requesting an urgent meeting.

She said: "I am writing to express my extraordinary disappointment at the decision to close the M&S Food store on Fleet High Street.

"It is deeply concerning that profit is being put before people, and that a lack of preparedness in cyber resilience has contributed to a situation where a long-standing British institution appears to be withdrawing from the very high streets that helped build its success."

She detailed that the store closing will have 'a significant and lasting impact' on the town and the high street is already 'under considerable pressure.'

Ms Brewer met with M&S executives on Wednesday, June 3, to find out more.

M&S said it is not closing all its High Street stores, a spokesman said: "Our strategy is about having the right stores in the right place with the right space."

Sign Ms Brewer's open letter here: www.alexbrewer.uk/campaigns/save-ms-food-in-fleet.