Council chases deal to keep M&S store in Accrington

The town’s struggling high street was dealt a “devastating blow” last week after the retail giant announced plans to close its Broadway shop after 53 years.

Cllr Clare Cleary, chairman of Accrington Town Team, said she feared M&S leaving could spark a “domino effect” in the town centre.

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She said: “We will sit down and speak to them but because it is a commercial decision we do not have much clout.

“If they want to move somewhere, it is their decision. It is terrible for the staff and the town centre because it is like the flagship store. But we are hoping to sit down with them (M&S executives).

“I am not very optimistic. (If M&S leaves) we need to get somebody in because we are frightened of a domino effect. If one goes, they might all go.”

Cllr Cleary said she did not think M&S decided to close after plans for an out-of-town retail park at Whitebirk, near Rishton, were thrown out by the UK’s Supreme Court in August. The chain had been interested in moving to the proposed £16 million shopping complex, which was blocked following a ten-year legal battle.

Cllr Cleary said: “The Whitebirk issue is separate. That was a legal decision against developer Peel Group.

“They wanted to fill the site with retailers and it would have affected Accrington.”

The council has been in touch with management at the Arndale Centre, which is M&S’ landlord, to arrange a meeting. One of the options expected to be tabled is for the retailer to take a smaller unit that will sell only food — like its new Rawtenstall store, which is set to open in the spring.

Cllr Cleary said: “We have had a lot of public feedback and people are upset about the closure. Maybe M&S could take a smaller unit and sell only food. We have to try anything to keep their presence in the town.”

The 28 members of staff at the Broadway branch, which will close its doors in the spring, will be offered jobs at the new Rawtenstall shop or at other nearby stores, M&S said.