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M&S stores on list of closures


THE Marks and Spencer shops in Week Street, Maidstone, have both been highlighted for possi- ble closure. Industry analysts say Maidstone


and the store in Tunbridge Wells could shut. It comes asM&Sunveils plans to


open 36 new stores in the UK over the next six months, but close six. More than 1,400 jobs will be cre-


ated by the openings, 34 of which will be dedicated to its booming food business. Just two out of the 36 will also include its clothing and homewares ranges as the retailer attempts to revive its general mer- chandise sales. Shops closing this year include Monks Cross, Portsmouth, Slough, Warrington, Wokingham and Worksop. But retail analyst Local Data Company has put Maidstone and TunbridgeWells on its list of M&S stores which might be closing. Chief executive Steve Rowe said:


“M&S stores will always be an in- tegral part of our customer offer, working seamlessly alongside our website, M&S.com, to deliver great products and service to our cus- tomers. “However, our customers’ shop- ping habits are changing. Picking


up food for now or tonight rather than doing one big shop or brows- ing and shopping online and col- lecting in store are great examples of this, and we are committed to adapting our business so that we stay in tune with our customers.” Mr Rowe added: “This means


there will be more M&S colleagues working in an increased number of convenient locations, serving more customers. It also means that we will open new stores, some will re- duce in size, some will move, some will close and others will convert to food only. “Each proposal we make will be


very carefully considered, with our colleagues and customers firmly front of mind. It is our intention that nobody leaves M&S and we will work as hard as possible to en- sure thatwe can deliver against this promise.”


Relief road support grows


CAMPAIGN signs have started to appear along the length of Willington Street in support of a relief road. Organised by Willington Street Action Group (WILLact), the durable


plastic posters are appearing on gateposts, telegraph poles and fences. One has even popped up inside a caravan. Jenny Sutton, a cam-


tireless


paigner to get traffic volumes re- duced on Willing- ton Street, said: “These are the signs going up along the entire street here. “We started off placing them in strategic positions, but they are be- coming so popu- lar, many residents have placed an order! They are appearing on gates, poles, fences, walls, in windows and even inside a caravan. “The only spare ones we have now are WILLAct, which won't work in


Leeds and Langley obviously! “The softer, cheaper ones are weather resistant and suitable for inside windows or in front gardens on gates, fences posts etc. “The harder ones are slightly more expensive, but would last longer by


far.” Campaigners believe that a relief road running from the A274 at or


near Langley to the A20/M20 will help to take much of the traffic off Will- ington Street and the B2163. It could also ease congestion on Sutton Va- lence and as far away as Headcorn.


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