Marks And Spencer confirms closure of Swansea Oxford Street flagship store
Marks and Spencer has told staff it will close one of its flagship city centre stores, a move that company leaders say is part of a wider reshaping of its estate. The Swansea Oxford Street branch — a full-line store with a café that has been open since 1957 — is expected to shut in late 2026, subject to consultation.
Swansea Oxford Street: decades of trade and a scheduled closure
The retailer confirmed it will close one of its flagship city centre stores later this year and has informed staff of the plans this week. The specific Swansea Oxford Street site has operated as a full-line branch with a café since 1957 and is expected to close in late 2026, subject to consultation.
Marks And Spencer strategy explained by Adam Hawksbee
In a letter to council leader Rob Steward, Adam Hawksbee, M& S Head of External Affairs, framed the proposed closure as part of a UK-wide programme to reshape the store estate. Hawksbee said the decision is aimed at ensuring stores are in the "right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience" and that the programme is designed to ensure the business has "the right stores, in the right place, with right space. " the move follows a sustained decline in sales over the past 10 years, leaving the store no longer viable in its current format.
Council leader Rob Stewart expresses disappointment and outlines next steps
Responding on social media, council leader Rob Stewart called the move "hugely disappointing" and said the council had worked behind the scenes with M& S senior decision makers to avoid the store being included in previous closure rounds. He said the council had encouraged M& S to invest, and that while it did not agree with the decision it would do what it could to retain the brand in the city and to help find an alternative store location in Swansea. Rob Stewart also noted that M& S made clear the decision is strategic rather than a reflection on Swansea, linking it to the company's new business model and saying M& S recognise the significant regeneration that is under way and are keen to find an alternative location in Swansea.
Swansea Council response and assurances for staff
A Swansea Council spokesperson described the news as "extremely disappointing for staff and shoppers. " The spokesperson said M& S confirmed late yesterday afternoon that the current building and location is no longer suitable for their business model, which has already seen 90 historic locations close and investment in new store locations. The council said it has spent several years actively working to prevent M& S closing at this location and will continue working in the coming weeks and months to seek a new site that meets their needs and keeps M& S in the city.
Planned support for employees and local retail outlook
The retailer acknowledged the impact on staff and shoppers and said the proposal will be disappointing for some. it will prioritise supporting employees, including "exploring alternative roles at nearby stores wherever possible. " Swansea Council said M& S recognise the city's regeneration and remain committed to exploring options for an alternative store location. The council reiterated that the decision is part of a wider national strategy and that its immediate thoughts are with M& S staff as it supports them through the period of uncertainty.
