Not just any protest, this is an M&S protest: Furious locals take to the streets to demonstrate against the closure of their beloved local store
- Around 40 people protested outside the supermarket in Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Locals described shop as a ‘lifeline’ for older people and ‘heartbeat’ of the town
- Felixstowe is one of 17 stores set to close in coming months as M&S commits to to shutting more than 100 by 2022
Furious shoppers have taken to the streets to protest the closure of their local Marks & Spencer shop described as the ‘heartbeat’ of their town.
Around 40 people stood outside the supermarket in Felixstowe, Suffolk, in the rain and more than 3,200 people have signed an online petition to save the store.
Locals have described the shop in the seaside town as a ‘lifeline’ for older people and said its closure would be ‘devastating’ on the community.
Save Felixstowe: Around 40 people stood outside the supermarket in Suffolk in the rain to protest the closure of their local M&S
Locals say the shop is the ‘heartbeat’ of their town and its closure would have a ‘devastating’ effect on the community
More than 3,200 people have also signed an online petition to save the supermarket from shutting
The Felixstowe shop is one of 17 stores set to close in the coming months as M&S commits to its plan to shut more than 100 by 2022.
Mike Titchener, chairman of the Felixstowe Town Centre Residents Association, told the BBC: ‘It’s always a really busy store, it’s the flagship store of the high street, it’s the heartbeat of the town.
‘The demographic of Felixstowe is elderly. It’s a lifeline for them. If we lose it, it will be devastating.’
Shoppers will need to travel 10 miles to nearest M&S once the closure goes ahead – which locals say is ‘too far’, especially for those who can’t drive.
The Felixstowe shop is one of 17 stores set to close in the coming months as M&S commits to its plan to shut more than 100 by 2022
Mike Titchener, chairman of the Felixstowe Town Centre Residents Association, organised the protest
Grace McManus is one of thousands who would have to travel 10 miles to the next closest M&S
An M&S spokeswoman said: ‘Proposing to close stores is never easy, for our colleagues, customers or the local community, but it is vital for the future of M&S.’
Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said she would urge M&S bosses to keep the shop open when she meets them in Parliament next week.
The 16 other stores set to to close are: Ashford, Barrow, Bedford, Boston, Buxton, Cwmbran, Deal, Huddersfield, Hull, Junction One Antrim Outlet, Luton Arndale, Newark, Northwich, Rotherham, Sutton Coldfield and Weston-super-Mare.