THE closing date for the Golden Square branch of Marks and Spencer has been announced.

A spokesman for the company said the store will shut on July 29 and confirmed that all staff were told about the plans yesterday, Tuesday.

All 95 employees at the shop will be offered jobs at nearby branches in Stockton Heath and at Gemini Retail Park.

Pete Swallow, regional manager for Marks and Spencer in Merseyside and Cheshire, said: “We haven’t taken this decision lightly.

"I’d like to thank the team for their hard work and dedication to serving customers and to say how pleased I am that they are staying with Marks and Spencer.

"Their experience and expertise will be invaluable at our nearby Gemini, Stockton Heath and other local stores."

The company announced plans to close the branch in April but council leaders called on Marks and Spencer bosses to reconsider.

The first Marks and Spencer shop opened in Warrington in the 1930s and the high street brand has been trading in the town centre ever since.

Cllr Terry O’Neill, Warrington Borough Council leader, said: “While I am disappointed that Marks and Spencer has taken the decision to leave Warrington town centre as part of its national rationalisation, I am confident that the heart of our town will continue to thrive and grow.

“Warrington town centre has a bright future with major investment in retail, leisure, residential and office facilities set to transform the core of our town for generations to come.

We have been working hard for a number of years to breathe new life into our town centre and to ensure its commercial viability.

"We are creating a vibrant, welcoming, diverse and user-friendly place and this work will continue.”

Director of Golden Square Ian Cox added: “As has been widely reported, the Warrington store is one of those which is to be closed as part of a nationwide strategic restructure by Marks and Spencer.

“Whilst this news is obviously disappointing as the unit connects to Golden Square, we will help the landlord, where we can, attract a retailer to complement our offer within the centre.”

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