VOTE: Rescue package planned to save Scunthorpe M&S store
A RESCUE package is to be presented by North Lincolnshire Council to save the Marks & Spencer store in Scunthorpe High Street from closure.
The idea was suggested by M&S officials at an hour-long meeting with council leaders and local MPs Andrew Percy and Nic Dakin yesterday.
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It came after the retail giant last week announced it planned to close the Scunthorpe store which it claimed have become commercially unviable. North Lincolnshire Council leader, Councillor Mark Kirk, said: "M&S has invited the council and the MPs to put forward their ideas to help retain the company's presence in Scunthorpe.
"So we will in the coming weeks be putting together a package that will show we can offer our support to make the store more viable and help attract more visitors to the town.
"M&S probably is not aware of the planned developments for Scunthorpe and surrounding area that will undoubtedly attract more shoppers to the area."
Mr Kirk declined to comment over whether the rescue package could include an offer to cut the business rates on the High Street store, which dates back to 1932.
After the meeting Scunthorpe's Labour MP, Mr Dakin, said: "The town has tremendous potential for economic growth which we are already starting to see.
"I understand M&S is a profit-making business and it doesn't take these decisions lightly but it would be a real shame to see it close.
"It's been here a very long time and people have a good relationship with the store and the staff."
Brigg and Goole's Conservative MP, Mr Percy, said: "M&S gave an assurance that it would consider any viable concrete counter proposals before making a decision to close.
"At least we've been given a chance to air our views and I would encourage others to do the same."
Store insiders have told the Telegraph the London-based firm, which owns the High Street property, has refused to upgrade the 78-year-old building and is charging higher than market value for the lease.
M&S has declined to comment on the claim.
A spokesman for the company in London said: "We won't be commenting on the meeting, other than to say it was arranged as part of our ongoing consultations concerning our proposal to close the store in the new year."
Get involved
TO urge Marks & Spencer to reconsider its closure plan, customers in Scunthorpe are being urged to write to: Retail Customer Services, Chester Business Park, Wrexham Road, Chester, CH4 9GA. Telephone 020 7935 4422 or e-mail retailcustomer. services@marksandspencer. com Alternatively, email M&S chairman Sir Stuart Rose at chairman@marksandspencer.com
13 Comments
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by Mike of Epworth, Epworth
Friday, July 30 2010, 11:38PM
“All this talk of the wonderful future for business and employment for North Lincolnshire does seem a little premature. I'm sure if it does come to pass then M&S can always consider opening a new branch in the future. If it's financially viable.
Frankly, if the council wants to stimulate a rise in the number of shoppers visiting Scunthorpe they should consider a change to the parking fees system. Perhaps the first two hours free?”
by Dave, Ashby
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:48PM
“"Store insiders have told the Telegraph the London-based firm, which owns the High Street property, has refused to upgrade the 78-year-old building and is charging higher than market value for the lease."
If this is the case then how strange. M&S used to own all its' stores freehold but in 1999 sold 40 of them to landlords and then leased them back; in 2001 it did the same with another 78. I don't know if Scunthorpe was one of them but if so it may now be biting them on the bum!”
by Hugh Joe King, Head In Sands
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:51PM
“Mick Can't,
Yes I have to agree. M & S aren't the only ones unaware of the planned developments, neither am I.I know of nothing that could attract more people to the area.”
by Judas, Sunny Scunny
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:47PM
“What's this ST, no comments on NLC Cabinet Member cllr Grant's misfortune to lose 2 bikes from a locked bike shed?!
You haven't all been mocking and ridiculing one of North Lincolnshire's key movers and shakers in my absence, and I missed it!!”
by Professor James Moriarty, St Lawrence Road Scunthorpe
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:23PM
“It's really sad to hear about marks and sparks closing especially as it has been in Scunthorpe so long but does it not make you think why that mobster kirk seems so desperate to save a shop that is essentially for the rich when they've let so many other business in Scunthorpe rot kirk and grant cannot be trusted they are crooks when people in Scunthorpe are living in poverty, loosing there jobs and do not have there protection all they care about is there baths hall fetish which lets face it will fail.”
by Glad, Scunny
Friday, July 30 2010, 1:53PM
“As per my other comment, why does Mr Dent feel the need to comment under different names on the same item? Or is this just proof he's several sandwiches short of a picnic?”
by Mick Can't, Word Press UK
Friday, July 30 2010, 1:30PM
“""M&S probably is not aware of the planned developments for Scunthorpe and surrounding area that will undoubtedly attract more shoppers to the area."
More pie in the sky thinking from Kirk,he's been announcing plans for years yet unemployment is still massively high. False promises in hard times are unbearable for desperate people.”
by curt.short, trap 2
Friday, July 30 2010, 1:29PM
“i have noticed a good seller at marks and sparks is incontinence pants.this tells you of the age group that uses the stores..trouble is what will scunthorpe smell like when the store closes”
by Norman, at home
Friday, July 30 2010, 1:14PM
“Went into M&S a little earlier today, there was NOTHING to speak of in mens clothing, and very little for women below retirement age.
Food section was good though, and it was pleasing to note that the shop was quite full and busy.
If the shop is to stay, they need to seriously look at what they stock and start to target new age groups.”
by anth, Scunthorpe
Friday, July 30 2010, 12:43PM
“Why all of a sudden have NLC taken an interest in Scunthorpe town center after years of trying to shut it?
Could it be simply because local elections are less than a year away.”