Scotland’s M&S and New Look stores closing their doors in June named in list

The Scottish high street is set to lose both a New Look and M&S, as both retailers are included in a list of stores set to close over the coming weeks.

A New Look store based in Perth will have its last day of trading today (June 4). Meanwhile, an M&S Food Hall in Newton Mearns Glasgow, is set to close its doors on June 15 for major refurbishments that will revamp the store.

The British high street has been under pressure for several years, with the lockdowns of 2020/2021 and the ongoing cost of living crisis leaving consumers with less disposable income. High rents and restructuring plans have also taken their toll, forcing many businesses to shut up shop.

Data from the Centre for Retail Research reveals that almost 10,500 shops closed permanently in 2023, resulting in the loss of over 119,000 jobs across the sector. More closures, including some well-loved high street names, are expected throughout June.

As reported by The Mirror, here is a full rundown of high street retailers that will be closing their doors over the next few weeks.

New Look

In another retail update, New Look is set to bid farewell to its Perth store in Scotland. The fashion retailer’s spokesperson confirmed the closure, stating that the shop will open its doors to customers for the final time today, June 4.

New Look has previously addressed store closures as part of its business strategy, with a representative explaining to the Mirror that opening and closing stores is a “normal course of business”. A statement from New Look mentioned: “New Look occasionally closes sites, but also opens new stores when the right opportunities arise.”

M&S

Marks and Spencer has announced closure plans for two stores this month. The Walworths store, originally slated to close in March, now confirms ending operations finally on June 8.

Commenting on this matter, Gordon Scott, M&S’ regional manager, expressed: “After consulting with our colleagues, we have informed them of the closure and our priority now is continuing individual discussions about what this decision means for them. Wherever possible, we will offer them alternative roles with M&S.”

Gordon highlighted that M&S is actively reshaping its store portfolio to ensure it provides the “right stores with the right space” for a “brilliant shopping experience”.

The Newton Mearns food hall is set to shut down on June 15 in preparation for a major refurbishment. The revamped food hall will boast a bakery, new Click and Collect services, a cheese barge, and dedicated Flower and Wine Shops.

While an official reopening date has not been announced, it’s anticipated to welcome customers back by summer.

B&M

B&M is set to close two stores in the next few weeks. The first, located in Bulwell, will close on June 7, followed by a store in Oldham which will shut on Saturday, June 22. However, it’s not all doom and gloom as these closures will be followed by two new store openings.

The Bulwell Street store will relocate to a new site at 36/48 Main Street, previously occupied by Wilko. The new store is set to welcome customers from Wednesday, June 12.

Similarly, the Spindles Shopping Centre store in Oldham is moving to a larger location within the same shopping centre, with the new store opening its doors on Wednesday, June 22.

Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

WHSmith

WHSmith has decided to shut its doors on the Boscombe store on Christchurch high street, come Saturday, June 8. Speaking on behalf of WHSmith, the spokesperson explained that this decision comes after a good 12 years of operation in the location, citing non-renewal of lease and unsustainable trade conditions as the reasons behind it.

The representative relayed: “It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from this location and the decision has been taken to close the store as a result of the lease expiring.”

B&Q

This weekend promises to be an end to B&Q’s presence at Sutton South London. The DIY and hardware retailer announced that it’ll be shutting shop permanently on Saturday, June 8.

A spokesperson for B&Q attributed this move to unsuccessful lease negotiations. The word from the company was: “Due to unsuccessful negotiations to renew the lease at our Sutton Court Road store, we will be closing our doors on June 8, 2024.”

Clarks

Iconic shoe retailer Clarks is set to bid farewell to two of its stores this month. The Stroud, Gloucestershire branch will cease trading on Monday, June 3.

A company spokesperson stated that the closure will occur this summer and staff are currently in a “consultation” period. They added: “We’ll be delighted to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in Cheltenham and Cirencester, as well as at our outlet store at the Gloucester Quays.”

Additionally, Clarks’ Maidenhead location is slated for closure in June 2024, though a specific date has yet to be officially confirmed.

Poundland

Poundland is set to close its Altrincham branch, which took over the former Wilko site in Greater Manchester last October, after a brief eight-month stint. The discount retailer has confirmed that the George Street store in the Stamford Quarter will cease trading on June 17 due to an inability to secure a new lease agreement with the landlord.

Notices have been placed informing customers of the impending closure and directing them to other nearby stores.

A Poundland spokesperson expressed regret over the situation: “Sadly we’ve been unable to agree lease terms that would enable us to keep the store trading. The store’s is currently planned to close on June 17. Whenever we have to close a store, it goes without saying we do all we can to find alternative roles for colleagues.”

Lidl

Lidl has confirmed that its Barnstaple branch in Devon is set to close its doors for good by the end of June after serving the local community for nearly 25 years.

A representative for Lidl announced: “We can confirm that the lease of our store on Station Rd is coming to an end, and it has been proposed that the store, which first opened its doors almost a quarter of a century ago, will close at the end of June. However, residents can be assured that they will still be able to access our great value products at our newer, much larger Gratton Way store and also our store on Old Station Road, both of which are close by.”

An official closure date is yet to be announced.

Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.