M&S has announced it is to close up to 67 stores but will be opening up to 104 food stores, some of which will be in the same areas as those which it will be closing.

The closures will take place this year but only seven store closure details have been released. The increase in its Simply Food outlets will take it from 316 to 420 stores and will be done over a five-year period.

The closure are reported to be part of a planned programme to reduce costs of around £300 million including rising rents and energy costs estimated to be around £100 million.

Only seven of the 67 stores to be closed have been announced so far and include:

  • Eagles Meadow, Wrexham
  • East Kilbride
  • Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough
  • Carlton Street, Castleford
  • Meadowbank Retail Park, Edinburgh
  • Newport Road, Cardiff
  • Deansgate, Bolton.