North East MSP slams M&S over store closures
Liam Kerr has written to bosses after they announced mass closures
North East MSP Liam Kerr has written to Marks & Spencers following news that they're set to speed up closing a quarter of their larger UK stores.
It's unclear yet whether any of Aberdeen's branches will be impacted, with Kerr venting: "it's not good enough".
He said: "It’s deeply concerning and unsettling to hear about this latest announcement which is why I’ve written to M&S to get some much-needed clarity on the situation regarding Aberdeen.
"It’s not good enough for the company to make these announcements about speeding up closure plans but to not actually say which stores are affected.
"The news about John Lewis and Debenhams rocked Aberdeen last year and it would be unthinkable for the same to happen to M&S.
"We can't allow a domino effect to happen in our city centre and for more jobs to be lost during this extremely difficult time for people."
Of the 247 larger stores, only 180 will remain open.
The Conservative MSP has previously met with bosses in May. They were unable to confirm then whether any Aberdeen stores were in danger.
In a new letter to the company, Kerr wrote: "You will recall we met in May regarding the future of your Aberdeen stores after M&S announced it was to shut another 32 UK shops, while at the same time moving into new out-of-town locations.
"Back then you felt unable to give me a definitive answer on whether Aberdeen’s St Nicholas Street or Union Square stores were part of these closure plans.
"I was alarmed to read that M&S is now planning to speed up its closure process and close 25% of its bigger stores selling clothing and homeware.
"The people of Aberdeen and the staff who work at these stores will be understandably concerned at this news and deserve to get some clarity as to whether either or both of these stores might be in the frame to close.
"M&S has been based in Aberdeen since 1944 and forms a pivotal part of the regeneration of our city centre. It would be catastrophic if any of Aberdeen’s stores were impacted by this announcement following the recent closure of John Lewis and Debenhams.
"I would therefore be grateful if you were now able to tell me if either of the Aberdeen M&S stores form part of the plans to close 67 of the larger shops."