M&S close city centre store after 69 years as ‘heartbroken’ shoppers lay flowers

The M&S store in Swansea, South Wales, has closed for the final time after 69 years of trading – with hundreds of loyal shoppers laying flowers and paying their final respects to the beloved city centre store

Marks and Spencer patrons have been left ‘devastated’ as a city store in the UK closed its doors for good on Saturday, May 30. The Swansea branch was shuttered due to underperformance, according to the high street retailer.

On Saturday, customers came to bid farewell to the shop, with floral tributes being laid by the building. The Oxford Street outlet has been a significant shopping destination in the city for many years.

The closure was announced in February, putting 92 jobs at risk. An M&S spokesperson stated: “Our M&S Swansea city centre store will close on Saturday, 30 May.

“As previously announced, this decision forms part of our plans to reshape our store estate so we can invest in stores that better meet the needs of our customers.

“We remain committed to serving customers in Swansea through our nearby stores and online, and are working closely with Swansea Council and other local partners to explore opportunities for a future M&S presence in the city.”

Hundreds of locals visited the store, laying flowers, taking photos and making their final visit, reports the Express.

One woman shed a tear as she told said the M&S in Swansea held great significance for her and her family.

Another man expressed his feeling that things were going “from bad to worse” in the city as the reality of the high street giant’s closure set in.

The 63-year-old regular shopper added: “It breaks my heart to see it.”

Shoppers will now face a drive of over 15 minutes to reach the nearest store, located in Swansea’s Forestfach Retail Park.

One disgruntled customer described the closure as “absolutely shocking”, noting that the store has been a staple of the high street since 1957.

Another M&S store in Newport is set to shut its doors in June, with the retail giant attributing the closure to shifts in consumer shopping habits.

M&S regional manager, Richard Owen, commented: “Customer shopping habits are changing, and as part of our UK-wide store rotation programme, we are continually reviewing our store estate to ensure we have the right stores in the right places, with the right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience.

“Following the recent expiry of our lease, we have decided to close the M&S store in Newport Gwent at Friars Walk towards the end of June 2026. We understand this will be disappointing for some customers and colleagues.

“Our priority is to support our colleagues through this change, including exploring alternative roles at nearby M&S stores wherever possible. We will continue serving Newport customers through those nearby stores and online.”

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