M&S to close Newtownards store

M&S has 350 specialist Simply Food stores

Marks and Spencer plans to close its Simply Food store in Newtownards, with the loss of 37 jobs.

It is closing a total of 25 Simply Food stores and another two normal stores. Its UK like-for-like sales fell by 7.1% in the 13 weeks to 27 December.

M&S chairman Stuart Rose said they had examined every available option to keep the Newtownards store open.

He added: "In this tough trading environment it is no longer commercially viable."

A period of consultation is to begin with the store's 37 employees.

In a statement, the company said: "In the event of closure, employees will be offered appropriate help from M&S to find alternative employment in the local area."

Overall, the closures will mean the loss of 780 jobs across the UK. The retailer is also planning to cut 450 head office jobs.

The announcement came with its Christmas trading statement.

M&S warned that its margins would be lower this year as a result of discounting, especially in food.

In the run-up to Christmas, the retailer held two sale days where it cut prices by 20%.

Ards Mayor Jim Fletcher said it was a "sad day".

"I hope that it won't be long before they get a good job, they're a very resilient crowd," he said.

"It's a very sad day for the borough because we don't like to lose this number of jobs."