Food retailer, Marks & Spencer has announced the next 17 UK stores proposed for closure as it reshapes its UK store estate.

The proposed store closures have been named as: Ashford, Barrow, Bedford, Boston, Buxton, Cwmbran, Deal, Felixstowe, Huddersfield, Hull, Junction One Antrim Outlet, Luton Arndale, Newark, Northwich, Rotherham, Sutton Coldfield and Weston Super Mare.

These proposals are part of M&S’s UK store estate programme, first announced in November 2016 and accelerated in May 2018.

The 17 stores announced will impact 1,045 workers.

M&S says it will now enter a period of consultation with these workers with the intention of retaining as many people as possible. To date, 1,891 workers have been impacted by the programme with 1,591 being redeployed to other homes within the business.

As part of this plan, M&S has said it remains on track and on budget to close over 100 stores in total, including 30 that have already closed, 8 that have previously been announced and the 17 stores that are announced today (15th January) as proposed for closure.

Sacha Berendji, retail, operations and property director at Marks & Spencer said: “We’re continuing to transform M&S with pace and as part of this we are making good progress with our plans to close over 100 stores – radically reshaping our store estate to become more relevant for our customers.

“Proposing to close stores is never easy, for our colleagues, customers or the local community, but it is vital for the future of M&S. Where we have closed stores, we are continuing to see an encouraging number of customers choosing other nearby locations and shopping on M&S.com.”

The eight stores that have previously been announced as set to close are: East Kilbride, Edgware Broadwalk, Falmouth, Holloway Road, Kirkcaldy, Llandudno (relocation), St Helens (relocation) and Wigan (Foodhall opening at Robin Retail Park).