M&S has announced the sudden closure of yet another cafe to the surprise of shoppers.
The posh shop, which has more than 300 cafes across the country, has closed its branch at the M&S Foodhall in Hollingbury, Brighton.
The cafe shut for good on November 12, M&S confirmed.
Shoppers have been left stunned by the decision, with many taking to social media to share their opinions.
Customers express disappointment
Commenting on Facebook, one shopper said: "Oh no, I really enjoyed going there!"
Another wrote: "My mother-in-law will be lost without it. It's her social club."
And a third simply added: "It's ridiculous."
An M&S spokesperson said: "Following a review of our stores, we have informed customers that the café at our Carden Avenue store in Brighton Retail Park is now closed.
"Whilst we understand some people will be disappointed by this news, we can reassure customers that the store will continue serving shoppers as normal and all café colleagues will continue working in other roles in store."
Multiple closures in recent weeks
M&S has announced the closure of several cafes over the last few weeks.
The retailer closed its cafe in the Eagles Meadow Foodhall, Wrexham earlier this month.
While the cafes in Chineham shopping centre, Basingstoke and Cookstown, Northern Ireland, will both close on November 26.
M&S is expected to close dozens of stores over the next five years, with more set to happen in the coming months.
Earlier this year, M&S revealed that it will permanently shut ten of its stores and relocate more shops this year.
New M&S stores opening across the UK
But it's not all bad news because flagship M&S stores and Foodhalls have popped up in several major UK cities this year.
Cities like Leeds and Liverpool have already become home to new M&S stores.
Nine openings in November include six new stores plus three store renewals which total an £80million investment in bricks and mortar by the retailer.
New locations include:
- Birmingham – opened on November 7
- Uckfield – opened on November 8
- Lakeside – opening today ( November 15)
- Earlsfield – opening tomorrow (November 16)
- Barnsley – opening on November 28
- Trafford Centre – opening on November 30
M&S will also open new or refurbished stores in five more locations in the coming months:
- Camberley – opening on November 20
- Handforth – opening on November 23
- Newcastle Foodhall – opening on November 29
- Wrexham – – opening on December 1
- Manchester Trafford Centre – opening in Winter 2023
- Linlithgow – opening in January 2024
- Largs – opening in Spring 2024
- Dundee – opening in Spring 2024
M&S is moving from having 247 stores to 180 – but says that these remaining locations will be higher quality, higher productivity stores and stock a wider range including clothing, home and food.
It also plans to open over 100 bigger Foodhall sites by 2028.
M&S plans to operate 180 full-line and 400 food halls in the next five years.
The new openings will bring investment in new stores to £480million, M&S said in May.
It will also be investing in its digital offering, with the rollout of click-and-collect to 130 stores across the UK.
Meanwhile, M&S isn't the only retailer looking to expand.
Primark recently opened a new shop in Salisbury in September and completed a refurbishment on its store in Edinburgh's Princes Street.
Plus, bargain retailer Poundland has opened dozens of new sites.
M&S' first Christmas advert has also arrived and it features well-known TV and movie stars.
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