Marks And Spencer confirms closure of Swansea flagship city centre store

Marks And Spencer has confirmed it will close one of its flagship city centre stores later this year as part of a wider programme to reshape its estate. The announcement said staff were informed of the plans this week and that the Oxford Street store in Swansea, open since 1957 and operating as a full-line branch with a café, is expected to shut in late 2026, subject to consultation.

Store details and timing

The retailer said the Oxford Street store in Swansea has been open since 1957 and functions as a full-line branch with a café. The company confirmed staff were told of the proposed closure this week and also stated the location is expected to close in late 2026, subject to consultation. The initial notice said the store will close "later this year" while the expected shutdown date is given as late 2026; the proposal is being progressed through consultation.

Marks And Spencer statement

Marks and spencer said the proposed closure forms part of a wider strategy to reshape its store estate and follows a sustained decline in sales over the past 10 years, leaving the store no longer viable in its current format. M&S Head of External Affairs Adam Hawksbee wrote to council leader Rob Steward saying the decision forms part of a UK-wide programme aimed at ensuring stores are in the "right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience. "

The company added the programme is designed to ensure it has "the right stores, in the right place, with right space. " The retailer acknowledged the impact on staff and shoppers, said the proposal will be disappointing for some and said it will prioritise supporting employees, including "exploring alternative roles at nearby stores wherever possible. "

Council leader reaction

Council leader Rob Stewart responded to the letter on social media, calling the move "Hugely disappointing decision by Mark & Spencer to begin consulting on the closure of the store in Swansea Oxford Street. " He said the council had "successfully worked behind the scenes engaging with M&S senior decision makers to avoid this store being included in the previous rounds of M&S closures and have been encouraging M&S to invest. "

Rob Stewart added that "While we don’t agree and cannot support this decision, we will to do all we can to retain the M&S brand in the city and therefore do what we can to help M&S find an alternative store location in Swansea. " He also noted that "M&S have been clear this is not a Swansea decision but a strategic one. It is about the new business model that company are adopting, " and that "M&S are clear they recognise the significant regeneration that is underway, and they are keen to find an alternative location in Swansea. "

Swansea Council comment

A Swansea Council spokesperson described the news as "extremely disappointing for staff and shoppers. " The council 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 spokesperson said the council had "spent several years actively working to prevent M&S closing at this location" and that it 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. " The council noted that "M&S recognises the significant Swansea regeneration which is under way and they stated they remain committed to exploring options for an alternative store location in the city. "

It added that "M&S has been very clear that this decision is not a reflection on Swansea as a retail destination, but forms part of its wider national strategy. We remain determined to ensure the city centre continues to grow and attract major brands. Our immediate thoughts are with the M&S staff, and we are committed to supporting them through this period of uncertainty. "

What happens next

The proposal is subject to consultation and the company says it will prioritise support for employees, including exploring alternative roles at nearby stores wherever possible. M&S has emphasized the closure is part of a UK-wide programme to reshape its store footprint and has said it wants to find an alternative location in Swansea that fits the new business model and the city's regeneration plans.