‘M&S closure should be a wake-up call that city centres need our support’

The closure of Marks & Spencer in Broadmead “won’t hurt our city centre shopping offer too much” according to one of Bristol’s leading businessmen.

But other people have lamented the decision of the supermarket to leave Broadmead.

M&S bosses have blamed changing shopping habits for the closure of its shop after almost 70 years.

How has Bristol reacted to the closure of M&S?

Thangam Debbonaire, Bristol West MP: “The closure of this landmark store is a sad moment for Bristol. It should be a wake-up call to all of us that our city centres need our support if we want them to continue to be lively, safe and welcoming for locals and visitors.

“Our shopping and social habits have changed a lot, so the city centre is changing too. I know Bristol’s natural creativity will help us with these changes. I’ll work with others to help achieve this.

“My thoughts are with the staff of M&S in Broadmead, some of whom may have been serving shoppers in the city centre for many years.”

Marks & Spencer have been in Broadmead since 1952 – photo: Martin Booth

James Durie, chief executive of Bristol Chamber & Initiative at Business West and co-chair of the Bristol Economy Board: “We are sorry to hear Marks & Spencer make this announcement having been a mainstay and anchor of shopping in central Bristol for many years. We know this will be a shock to the employees and their families, and we are offering to support them as much as we can.

“The retail environment has been changing drastically over recent years, and with Covid adding further pressure, we can appreciate this decision will be driven by their business model having to change and adapt.

“M&S no longer just compete with House of Fraser, John Lewis and others, but with Amazon, eBay and so many retailers operating using both bricks and clicks, so tough decisions like these are having to be made.

“But with what else that’s happening in Broadmead and the surrounding area I think this closure won’t hurt our city centre shopping offer too much. It’s part of change and happens alongside new retailers opening, but also much more mixed-use developments coming forward, making this part of our city much more of an area to live, work, study and play in. This will positively impact and improve it as an area, and for both its daytime and night-time economy.

“Bristol has a strong reputation when it comes to independents with over 100 stores in Broadmead helping give this shopping quarter a distinctive offering and flavour. And recent figures from Broadmead BID show that for a number of stores, spend is back to near pre-Covid levels.

“If you just look at the cranes and hoardings nearby there will be many more people living in the area in the future, and activity coming along that will build on and complement Cabot Circus and the Bristol Shopping Quarter, enhancing, supporting and driving our retail and leisure offer overall in coming years.”

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Read more: 20 photos of Broadmead from the 1950s, 60s & 70s

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Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol: “Sad to see M&S planning to join Debenhams in leaving Broadmead, amid a national retail crisis.

“As we work to protect jobs and businesses, we will continue to invest in revitalising Bristol’s city centre and high streets offer.”

“Changing shopping habits” have been blamed for the closure of M&S – photo: Martin Booth

And some comments from Bristol24/7 readers on Facebook and Twitter:

David Hilton: “The ability to park and shop in town has been the reason for the decline. People will not shop in town and get on a bus with heavy bags, that’s if the bus turns up! Bristol City Council must be made to answer for this.”

Sharon Cove: “Broadmead will be a ghost town before long. Something must be done. Also a note to Marks & Spencer, time and time again I go in there with money in my pocket to spend but because I’m a large lady of size 24 they rarely have my size. I come home and go online. If they’re using the excuse that habits have changed they need to ask themselves why! So very sad for Broadmead, there will now only be cheap shops, phone shops, coffee shops and beggars! And at Cabot only designer shops for skinny young people! Don’t get me started on buses and expensive parking, road closures and their effects on Broadmead!”

Jo Calascione: “Rents too high, rates too high, buses unreliable and expensive, parking too expensive. Cribbs is just up the road, easy to get to, loads of shops, and endless free parking. Duh….”

Shane Morgan: “Cabot Circus was the final nail in the coffin for Broadmead and the Galleries. Appalling choices made by councillors in the pockets of developers, sky high rent from greedy landlords and developers rubbing their hands together to turn more of Bristol into a student quarter with overpriced boxes. Bristol is a joke.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: M&S to leave Broadmead after almost 70 years

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