Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced the closure of 14 cafes across the UK, affecting locations including Crawley, Dunblane, Congleton, Stone, Anlaby, Hull, Martlesham Heath, Bidston Moss, Bishop Auckland, South Aylesford, Strood Retail Park, Whitstable, Canterbury, and Sittingbourne Retail Park. The decision comes as part of a broader strategy to repurpose cafe spaces to provide more product choice and enhance the shopping experience, according to M&S regional manager Katie Whelan.
Whelan stated that after reviewing the Congleton store, the company is repurposing the cafe space to offer a wider range of M&S Food, acknowledging that the move may disappoint some customers but emphasizing that teams will continue to serve them in-store. The cafe spaces will be converted to retail areas, though specific products or services to replace them have not been detailed. None of the M&S London branches are affected by the closures, according to reports.
We are so excited to return to Putney High Street with a fantastic food store for customers. There was a brilliant atmosphere for the opening and we have plenty of products on offer to explore, from our popular Nutrient Dense range to new seasonal launches. The team and I are looking forward to serving customers and showcasing the quality, trusted value and innovation M&S is known for.
In related developments, M&S closed its historic Stall Street branch in Bath on February 3, followed by the opening of a new flagship store at Southgate, Bath on February 4. The company plans to open seven new stores in 2026, including a food store on Putney High Street that opened on February 25. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Gianina Socotinschi, store manager at M&S Putney High Street, described excitement about returning to Putney High Street with a fantastic food store, noting a brilliant atmosphere at the opening and a range of products from the Nutrient Dense range to new seasonal launches. M&S also plans to launch 500 new stores across England over the coming years, though the timeline for these expansions remains unclear. The total number of M&S stores currently operating and how many cafes will remain open after these closures have not been confirmed.