Marks And Spencer: Full list of 14 marks and spencer cafes shutting across UK in blow to shoppers
marks and spencer is pressing ahead with a major food-focused expansion even as a string of on-site cafés have closed in recent months, a shift that will reshape some town centre offers and repurpose existing store space.
Marks And Spencer café in Waterlooville to be repurposed at Wellington Retail Park
The M& S café in Waterlooville, located in the Wellington Retail Park, is the latest confirmed closure as the company repurposes the café space to create a larger foodhall. Regional Manager Rebecca Rabadia said the Waterlooville store review has led to the café being re-purposed next month so the shop can offer a wider range of M& S Food, including more Select Farms produce, and that the team will continue working hard to serve customers despite the disappointing news for some.
Crawley, Dunblane, Stirling and Congleton among recent café closures
Several other on-site cafés have closed down in recent months, with venues in Crawley, Dunblane, Stirling and Congleton listed as having shut. Those local closures come amid the wider programme of change as the business reshapes how it presents food and retail space in stores.
Plans to double the brand and 20 new or renewed stores in pipeline
The company says it is in a period of transition and aims to double its brand by opening new stores across the country. Between November 2025 and March 2026, 20 new or renewed M& S stores are set to open as part of the growth plan, creating 800 jobs.
New-site requirements set at 21, 500 + sqft with parking and major road access
In an updated brochure of requirements, the business has stated that all new sites will need to be 21, 500 + sqft, be highly visible, have easy access to major roads and include dedicated parking. Those criteria are being used to shape where the larger-format food stores will be located.
List of 500 potential locations highlights multiple Hampshire towns and wider ambitions
A list of 500 potential locations has been published and includes multiple Hampshire sites: Portsmouth, Waterlooville, Bishops Waltham, Locks Heath/Fareham, Chandler’s Ford, Basingstoke, Fleet, Hook and Petersfield. Alex Freudmann, managing director of M& S Food, said the strong performance of new M& S food stores gives the business confidence to explore more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth, and that the team want sites where they could open a large M& S Food store to deliver the right shopping experience, range and availability for customers.
