There are not many shops on the high street that I morn the loss of, but the fact our local M&S is closing next month makes me sad.
The UK high street has changed a lot over the past 20 years. When Woolworths closed in 2009, it felt like the start of a big shift. There is still nowhere where you can easily buy the wide range of items they stocked; I guess Robert Dyas or Wilkos (before that closed last year) come the closest.
Online shopping has a lot to answer for. Of course the physical shops aren’t going to continue to exist if they are constantly out-priced by online only companies that buy in bulk and sell at discounted prices cos they can afford to do so and continue to make a profit. Yet people still often seem surprised when stores close or they can’t find the items they are looking for at the last minute.
A month ago M&S confirmed the stores it was closing this year as part of the restructure of its business, putting more focus on food only branches. I was disappointed to see the Walworth Road branch on the list. It’s about 50/50 when it comes to clothes and food, and whilst I very rarely buy clothes there (though it’s very handy for the occasional flock and collect order) it’s a regular pitstop for food, especially when we want something a bit nicer than the offerings at the various supermarkets nearby. It’s where our Christmas food comes from each year – it’s a good job I’ve got six months to find an alternative supplier for those Christmas treats.
The Walworth Road itself is a funny place when it comes to the shopping offering. There are charity shops galore and some household names like Boots and Screwfix (which opened in the former Argos building when that closed a few years ago). Otherwise it’s mainly tacky furniture shops, discount shops, cafes, ice cream shops, restaurants with a range of international cuisines, and a large number of grocery stores of different sizes. Oh, and lots of hair and beauty salons. There’s currently only one open pub on the mile long stretch of road, which also says a lot about how communities are changing.
It begs the question what is going to come in its place? There are already premises that have been closed for years and this is not a small store. We’ve already got Morrisons, Tesco, Coop, Sainsbury’s and Lidl nearby so do we need another chain supermarket? Perhaps Aldi will move in?
M&S has come a long way since it first opened as a penny bazaar in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market in 1884. It’s long been a household name, despite the fact it has had highs and lows in terms of popularity when it comes to its fashion lines.
Having grown up in a village in the countryside, the fact I’ve been able to walk to an M&S for the last 20 years has remained a novelty. I’ll miss it greatly as whilst there are other food shops I mean to go to more, such as TFC, there are some times when only M&S food will do.