RESIDENTS in Hyndburn have been promised that a substantial tenant will occupy the vacated Marks and Spencer store.

Following Wednesday’s closure of the store in Accrington’s Arndale Centre, an Arndale spokesman has announced that they will do their best to ensure that a ‘strong’ tenant moves into the unit.

They said: “From our side, we will ensure that a tenant of a substantial covenant will move into that unit.

“We do not want a unit of this size to remain empty and not trading.

“We have discussed this with our lawyers and are awaiting further direction.

“It is in the the gift of Marks and Spencer to secure a tenant for their unit but we will try our best to ensure that there is a strong replacement.

“We, as their landlords, are personally very disappointed, both in their decision to close the store and in the local authority’s inability to convince M and S to stay.”

The store, which has existed for more than 50 years, has been replaced with a new M and S foodhall in Rawtenstall, which opened on Thursday (31st March).

Residents have voiced their opinions on what they felt should fill the gap following the closure of the iconic store.

Rosemary Hargreaves, 79, said: “Something decent needs to replace it, with clothes of high quality and clothing suitable for older people like those M and S sell.

“We need another big store, I don’t want another cheap store in its place.”

Sharafat Shah, managing director of nearby Attock Network Products Ltd, said: “I think it is such a shame it is going.

“I think they need to bring another High Street brand here to get the footfall of people.

“They need to get a big chain to attract the public, otherwise people will go elsewhere.”

Shop staff from the Accrington branch have moved either to join the new team in Rawtenstall, or to other nearby stores.

An M and S spokeswoman said: “We always listen to our customers and the decision to close our Accrington store was not one that we took lightly. We’re currently in the process of marketing the property and will share further information with the community when we can.”