A Blackburn boutique has said that business has been hit “incredibly hard” since the loss of Marks & Spencer on the high street.
Boutique by Vee, which recently featured as one of the Lancashire Telegraph’s Best Independent Retailers, said the historic department store leaving the high street at the start of the month has had a knock-on effect on the rest of the town centre.
When M&S revealed it was quitting the town centre in 2023, it was a hammer blow for the revitalisation of the centre of Blackburn, with one of the most recognisable high street brands in a prominent location leaving.
Other businesses are now feeling the pinch from the drop in footfall.
Vanessa Guerin, who opened her shop after the Covid-19 pandemic, has just celebrated its fourth anniversary.
She said: “Being located in King William Street right next to Marks & Spencer used to mean our little corner of town was always buzzing.
"But since we lost our neighbours, M&S, the drop in footfall has hit us—and the rest of our fellow town centre independents—incredibly hard.
“The quiet days are tough. The uncertainty of what the future holds for us is, honestly, heartbreaking.
“We love being Blackburn’s little 'friendship hub', helping you find the perfect outfit, styling your prom dresses in the Prom Vault, and seeing you walk out feeling confident and empowered.
“But the reality is simple: without the footfall, we face the devastating possibility of having to close our doors for good.”
In a statement made in March, M&S regional manager Zeba Khan said the company had “made the tough decision to propose the closure of our Blackburn store”, adding: “Shopping habits are changing, and the store does not have a sustainable future.”
They are moving to a new site at Frontier Park, over the border in Hyndburn - but the new store on the retail park will be a Food Hall rather than a department store.
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Council bosses had offered up the old Thwaites Brewery site – intended for a new Morrisons until the supermarket chain pulled out of that idea – for M&S, but the brand was adamant it was the Frontier Park site, off Junction 6 of the M65, or nothing.
Vanessa added: “Independent businesses are the heartbeat of the high street, but we can only survive if our community chooses to shop small.
“You don’t have to spend a fortune—even a small purchase, a visit to see what’s new, or sharing our posts with your friends makes a massive difference.
“If you want to keep unique, independent shops in Blackburn, please support us before it's too late. We are open, and we can’t wait to see your faces.
“Let's save our high street together.”
