Marks and Spencer has confirmed the closure of one of its stores today. Riverside Retail Park in Warrington will lose its 6,000 sq ft store after less than a year of opening. The closure was announced last month with the retailer stating that the store’s performance is not “where it needs to be”

Speaking at the time, regional manager Pete Dobson said: “We’d like to thank all of our customers who have shopped with us and our colleagues.” The closest alternative M&S store for Warrington locals is at the Gemini Retail Park, or they can visit the Stockton Heath food hall.

M&S is currently rolling out a store rotation programme that involves opening new large stores and food halls nationwide. The retailer is investing over £300m in the programme that will “rotate and renew stores”.

The changes, however, involve multiple closures, with the retailer ceasing operations at another site just yesterday. The £117 million store in Newport was permanently shut due to changing consumer habits and the store’s lease expiring at the end of June. And just last month M&S closed its flagship store on Oxford Street, Swansea.

M&S has also confirmed it will close its store in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, putting around 50 jobs at risk, despite bosses explaining their efforts to redeploy employees.

Residents signed a petition to stop the decision, but it has been finalised

Will Holden, regional manager at M&S, told Colchester Gazette: “Since we shared our proposals last month, we have consulted with our colleagues and can now confirm that our Walton-on-the-Naze store will close.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has shopped with us at the store over the years and we will continue working hard to serve you over the coming months, and in future at our nearby Clacton Brook Park food hall.”