Interest in empty store as M&S says it could return to Spalding

Several retailers have shown an interest in taking on the former M&S store in Spalding - while the retailer vowed it could return to the town.

Shoppers were disappointed that the M&S Simply Food shop in Winfrey Avenue Retail Park closed its doors for good on May 1.

Shroders, which owns the site and nearby Holland Market, says it is making good progress with finding a new tenant for the store, which sits next door to the empty former Carphone Warehouse.

A spokesman for Schroders said: “A number of retailers have expressed an interest in taking the M&S and ex. Carphone Warehouse units, we are considering our options and are looking forward to adding a new tenant to the line-up in Spalding in the near future.”

Montagu Evans is currently marketing those two units as well as the empty former Wok Aroma shop near Swan Street.

M&S told the Spalding Guardian that it took the decision to leave Winfrey Avenue because the shop is not big enough for its needs.

A spokesman said the company is interested in returning to the town, but that they did not think this will happen in the short term.

The spokesman said: “It’s always a difficult decision to close a store - it’s not something we do lightly.

“The strategy with food halls is to be able to offer a wider range - and make it somewhere that someone can do a full shop if they want to.”

The spokesman added: “If we were able to find a suitable site in the future, we remain interested in Spalding as a location.”

The branch, which employed 33 people, was due to close for good last year - but was given a stay of execution until this May.

The next nearest M&S food store is in Bourne - a larger premises.

The news of M&S’ departure was met with sadness by readers.

Coun Glynis Scalese wrote on our Facebook page: “As a local district councillor I would like to say a massive thank you to the team at M&S Spalding for all their support to me in providing raffle prizes meals for the vulnerable chocolate treats for the people with learning disabilities at Spalding Mencap - nothing has been to much trouble for them what a great bunch of people I wish everyone of them continued success and let’s hope new premises are soon found.”