SHOPPERS have spoken to the Guardian following news that M&S is proposing to close its Northwich store in Barons Quay Shopping Centre.

The news was announced earlier today and sees 60 jobs at risk.

Following the announcement, the Guardian went along to the town centre store to gauge the reaction from Marks & Spencer’s shoppers.

Margaret McLaughlin, Northwich resident, said: “M&S is popular in Northwich, I personally use it all of the time. I would rather they make it bigger than close it.”

Alan Bunn, from Nantwich, said: “To me it is the death of the town, a store like this going.”

Sarah Buckley said: “We are going to get a petition going, it has been here since I was a little girl.”

Kevin Dickens, from Weaverham, said: “Extreme disappointment I think it is a shame for the town because it does bring a lot of people into Northwich. The removal of M&S is going to spell more doom for the unfilled units."

The news has come as a surprise to people who visit Northwich for the M&S shop.

Julie Dove said: “I am really shocked because I am from Warrington but it is equidistant for me to get to here or Warrington but M&S has closed there so I have been shopping in Northwich and I have enjoyed seeing it lift its trade.

“I think this is going to be a major blow to Northwich. I come here all the time rather than go to my hometown mostly because of M&S and the ease of parking.

“The Stockton Heath store only does food and parking there is a major issue because it has schools around it so you need to think twice about going there.

“I live in Stretton very close to there but I still prefer the Northwich shop and I am not alone in that. A lot of Warrington people come to Northwich.”

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