Forum Topic

Marks and Spencer to Close for Several Months

I was holding back what I know, but since it's on the front pageI'll post the dates ive been given.It will close on 14th June and is expected to open on 16th November.I'm informed that a cafe will be incorporated above but it will be a foodhall and nothing else just bigger and likely more open

Julian Pavey ● 42d14 Comments

Did your source say where the cafe might be? My guess would be the Mint Velvet/ Up and Running units. The original plan was probably to have larger units by building on the car park at the rear but, as we now know they tried and failed to purchase it, they are left with floor space that doesn't fit with the rest of the store but would accommodate a small cafe and probably the click and collect point.

Francis Rowe ● 24d

After getting clarification on this, a cafe will indeed be part of the new store.Not a massive one but one will be part of the new project

Julian Pavey ● 26d

I do like the cafe in the branch in Westfield which is a bit of a refuge in the shopping centre. However, I don't think I would use the equivalent on Chiswick High Road, we have an ample number of good quality independent cafes that deserve our support.

Diane Brown ● 32d

On the other hand, the person might be correct in a coffee machine.We will have to wait and see at the end of the day.

Julian Pavey ● 35d

Well, my answer to Dianne was told it was to be on a mezzanine floor so not on a floor above.As to the coffee machine. I'm only going on what I was told.And a cafe to me seems a more likely outcome. Someone would not say a cafe when its a coffee machine. And a coffee machine would be to put it plain and simple a pain in the back side for staff. "M&S has been investing in store renewals and expanding its cafe concepts, indicating a commitment to improving the customer experience"

Julian Pavey ● 35d

When I raised the cafe with someone working in the store they said it amounted to the installation of a coffee machine!! Clearly comes could be clearer from M&S on what we will gain from all the upheaval.

Jane Kirby ● 35d

Julian, were you told that there will be a cafe on the first floor? If so does that mean there will also be two levels of retail space?

Diane Brown ● 37d

I don't know the answer to your question but given the earlier discussion about having clothes sold at the expanded store it is worth noting that M&S's plans for a new store in Hammersmith were to switch it from full line to FoodHall with clothes only being available through Click and Collect. All the store refurbs and openings they are planning appear to be FoodHalls.

Mark Evans ● 39d

Simple answer to that Food sales grew by 7% in 2024 while clothes ext grew by 1% And clearly, Cafes are doing well enough to want to put one in place.

Julian Pavey ● 42d

Does anybody know what is happening with the Hammersmith store? That was supposed to be redeveloped a couple of years ago.

Andrew OSullivan ● 42d

It has been an open secret for some time now. I presume M&S couldn't announce because they didn't want to preempt the Poundland closure announcement.I presume a change of use will be needed at least for the units on the left hand side as you enter and that probably makes the timetable unpredictable. Any refit of this scale can also throw up unexpected problems so any date given is going to be an aspiration rather than set in stone.

Francis Rowe ● 42d

Nothing will beat the ambience and prices of Gregs (Steak Bake)which of course now has a double frontage with some 4 seaters….

Tony Antares ● 42d

I’ll take a cafe over clothes (especially kids’ clothes). Sandwiches or socks aside, Waitrose is going to be very, very busy.

Gordon McDonald ● 42d

I’d love to know the rationale behind the cafe. We absolutely don’t need a cafe.Surely clothing (particularly kids clothing) would be better received?

Lucy Halliwell ● 42d