Ormskirk fears M&S closure as Burscough store plan unveiled

Ormskirk residents, town centre workers and visitors say they are worried about M&S plans to open a big food hall at Ringtail Retail Park in Burscough and close its existing, smaller food hall in Ormskirk.

M&S says the Burscough site would be three times the size of its Ormskirk town centre shop. It has been searching for a new West Lancashire site to provide a better shopping experience and wider product range. It also works closely with various Lancashire farms.

Existing Ormskirk M&S staff will be transferred to Burscough and around 25 extra jobs will be created if the plan goes ahead. The Ormskirk shop, off Market Way, would close.

Speaking in Ormskirk, Kristian Yates said: “I work here in the town centre and I think M&S is really important. It’s in a convenient place and it sells good-quality food. I shop there regularly.

Kristian Yates in Ormskirk

“Quality food is important, whether for lunch or an evening meal. I often go there at lunchtime and then go back to my office. It only takes a few minutes and is really convenient.

“There aren’t many other options in Ormskirk. There’s a good sandwich shop and a bakery. There are also Morrisons and Aldi supermarkets but they are different to M&S. If we lose M&S, we could lose other shops too.

“And what will happen to the Ormskirk M&S site if it closes? Maybe we’ll get a small Sainsbury’s Local? Or will it be turned into offices or flats for students at Edge Hill University?”

Speaking about Lancashire towns generally, he added: “I prefer smaller towns like Ormskirk, Chorley and Leyland to bigger places like Preston. In the past, the big high street chains and cinemas moved out of central Preston, which then quashed smaller businesses. But now, there’s a new cinema in Preston and things are changing again.

“But there’s a lot of flip-flopping. The big chains seem to make decisions to pull out of a place — but then go back a few years later or go somewhere else. Meanwhile, the small businesses which are trying to operate have got no say in these big decisions which affect town centres.

“If M&S goes to Burscough, I certainly won’t be going there. That would involve driving at lunchtime. It’s just not convenient for me.”

Kate Travers, visiting from Thornton, said: “It would be a shame if M&S left Ormskirk. I know there’s a Morrisons here but it’s nice to have some choice. Ormskirk is appealing to people, especially elderly people, because it’s got everything you need in one area. And M&S is so well-known — it attracts people wherever it is.

Kate and Ally Travers in Ormskirk

“The Ormskirk M&S is also very accessible. It’s good for people who walk, cycle or drive. But if M&S goes to a retail park at Burscough, it’ll increase traffic there and people who don’t drive will have difficulty getting there. That would be a shame.”

Ally Travers, who lives in Ormskirk, said: “I go to M&S and it’s been here for a long time. It’s easy to get to. Older people who walk and don’t have cars will be especially affected if it moves to Burscough.

“Also, M&S attracts visitors to Ormskirk. They shop at M&S but go to other shops, cafés and restaurants too. If it closes, it will have an impact on visitors, other businesses and general life in the town. And if the M&S building and the surrounding car park were redeveloped, what would that mean for Ormskirk?”

Sandra Bevins, also from Ormskirk, said: “I live in an over-55s flat complex near M&S and a lot of residents shop there. Quite a few have disabilities and M&S is really handy. But if it closed, we’d only have Aldi and Morrisons.

Sandra Bevins in Ormskirk

“Also, young families need a choice of shops locally, rather than having to travel to Burscough. Public transport to Burscough isn’t good. There’s only one bus an hour.

“I go to M&S here routinely, whether for something at the last minute or for Sunday lunch. There’s not a lot of choice in Ormskirk, unless you want bars and restaurants. It’s a party town now. We seem to be losing everything — unless it’s a bar.

“M&S and the street market offer a bit more in Ormskirk. People go to M&S for groceries but also flowers and cards. M&S offers deliveries too, but we might lose that if things change. And the street market isn’t the same as it used to be.

“The old Woolworths shop here is still empty along with some other old shops. These empty buildings detract from the town centre. Will the M&S building become empty too?”

Harvey Evans and Isaac Woodward, both from Ormskirk, attend St John Rigby Sixth Form College in Wigan.

Harvey Evans and Isaac Woodword in Ormskirk

Isaac said: “I think M&S should stay in Ormskirk. I know a lot of people who shop there all the time and I go there too. We’ve lost a few shops already. And travelling to Burscough wouldn’t be convenient. Students like us would have to get a bus or train.”

Harvey said: “I go to M&S quite a lot. I buy my lunch there and other things. If it went to Burscough, there would be fewer things here in Ormskirk. There’s not much else except Morrisons and bars, which we’re not old enough to get into.”

M&S was approached for comment.