Marks & Spencer confirms closure of Peterborough department store

Marks & Spencer has confirmed the closure of its store at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough as the high street giant continues its transformation plan. 

The department store, which occupies a three-level unit at the retail destination, stocks a range of clothing, beauty and food items.

Craig Burton, M&S Regional Manager, said: "Shopping habits are changing, so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores to offer customers a brilliant shopping experience.

"As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our proposal to close our M&S Peterborough store in the Queensgate shopping centre."

Marks & Spencer's nearby store at Brotherhood retail park will remain open, along with its M&S Foodhall at Serpentine Green.

The decision comes as the retailer aims to rotate from a base of 247 stores across the UK to 180 higher quality, higher productivity full line stores that sell its clothing, beauty, home and food ranges.

Burton added: "In recent years we have invested over £31 million in our stores in the East of England and we look forward to working with the local council to bring forward plans for further future investment into Peterborough and the wider local area.

"Our priority now is to talk to our colleagues about what this announcement means for them. Should the proposals go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles with M&S wherever possible."

The closure means another large vacant unit at Queensgate Shopping Centre, following the closure of John Lewis, which decided not to reopen after the third national lockdown during the pandemic.