SHOPPERS and businesses in Scunthorpe reacted with shock after Marks & Spencer announced plans to close the High Street store.

The retail giant, which has had a presence on Scunthorpe High Street since 1932, plans to close the store in early 2011 with the loss of 36 jobs.

Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin said he was stunned by the news.

"It's very disappointing. It seems to have come out of the blue as the shop has always appeared very busy and popular," he told the Telegraph.

"It's hard to understand why it's not doing well."

Scunthorpe town centre businessman and managing director of Fallen Hero, Des Comerford, said: "For Marks & Spencer to say sales have declined over the past three years, I think it is clear to see that they, in my opinion, have not invested in the town centre over a long period of time.

"My heart goes out to the people who work there and have been committed to that store for a long time."

Mr Comerford praised North Lincolnshire Council for its intended attempts to keep Marks and Spencer in the town – but was unsure what the authority could do.

He said: "I welcome Councillor Mark Kirk's comments as leader of North Lincolnshire Council that they will sit down and try to do everything they can.

"I will be interested to see what ideas these are because there is no manoeuvre with the business rates or rent and I can't see where the help could come from or what sort of help can come from the council."

And he said the retailers in the town centre should be given a greater voice in a bid to arrest the decline of the area.

Mr Comerford said: "We need a think tank very quickly to stop any further decline in the town centre.

"Let's all sit around the table and pull together for the sake of North Lincolnshire.

"We have got to listen to the retailers and businesses in the town centre because they know what is happening on a day-to-day basis."

Glyn Sparks, manager of town centre store Inter Sport, said: "To lose such a traditional shop from Scunthorpe is shocking.

"We've got plenty of new, cheap shops in Scunthorpe but we're losing the traditional ones.

"As a businessman, yes, the news is deeply concerning because you cannot help but think, who's next?"

Andy Nash, manager at John's Audio & Visual Specialists, was also surprised at the news.

"I'm speechless to be honest," he said.

"The closure of Marks & Spencer will dramatically cut down on foot traffic through the High Street as it is one of the town's busiest shops. The reduction of people will obviously have an effect on the amount of shoppers in town centre. We are already seeing the Doncaster Road end of the High Street become quieter but we could see the Westgate end become equally as deserted."

He added: "I think most shops are going to end up in retail parks like Lakeside and Gallaher Retail Park and people will tend to go to places like Meadowhall to shop."

And Paul Empson, owner of Paul's Music on Laneham Street, said: "The closure of Marks & Spencer is going to leave big hole in the High Street.

"If shops like this keep closing there'll be nothing left.

"As a local businessman I support all local businesses so, yes, the closure of Scunthorpe's Marks & Spencer is deeply upsetting."

It is a sad turn of events for the Scunthorpe store, the High Street's oldest retailer. Just 12 years ago, the board of directors pledged a full commitment to the future of the town.

On December 21, 1998 Marks & Spencer announced plans to build a new 36,000 square feet store – more than four times the size of the present branch.

The site earmarked was that of the former John Leggott College in nearby Cole Street, which has since been demolished to make way for the Parishes shopping mall.

At the time, a spokeswoman for Marks & Spencer said the relocation of the store would provide a much greater choice for customers.

She said: "The company is fully committed to being part of the future of Scunthorpe."

The council's then development chairman Councillor Mark Kirk, now the leader of the local authority, welcomed the commitment, hailing it as a massive boost to the town centre and putting Scunthorpe in a position to compete with neighbouring town high streets.

The commitment to the future of Scunthorpe came after the company abandoned plans to build a £21-million superstore on the Hull side of the Humber Bridge amid a storm of protest from local traders.

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the proposed closure, speaking yesterday Mr Kirk said there is plenty of investment heading to the region.

He said: "We are seeing more people coming into the town and with Primark moving in the autumn, this will bring even more people.

"Together with the Lincolnshire Lakes project and the recent announcement on the South Humber Gateway that will attract thousands of new jobs to the area, there are promising times ahead.

"And we are currently talking to potential new developers about the prospect of them coming to the town – this is part of the town centre master plan that will again see more jobs created in the town centre through a series of major key development opportunities."