Marks and Spencer Broadmead: Empty shelves and queues at the till as shoppers rush in for final time ahead of closure

Marks and Spencer in Broadmead opened in 1952, but will close for the final time tomorrow (January
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Shoppers paid a visit to Marks and Spencer’s Broadmead store for the final time today, with the shop shutting down tomorrow (January 8).

The high street chain opened the store all the way back in 1952 and it has been a prominent feature of the city centre over the decades.

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It has been a shopping destination for generations of families searching for everything from clothes to food to homewares, and a reason for many to come to Broadmead.

And today, many shoppers visited to the store for a final look around today - although many will have been left disappointed, with floors closed and shelves already empty.

Sign facing customers as they come to M&S in Broadmead for a final timeSign facing customers as they come to M&S in Broadmead for a final time
Sign facing customers as they come to M&S in Broadmead for a final time

As they walk in, a sign tells them that the first and second floor, including the cafe and toilets, are closed.

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It says menswear, lingerie and kidswear have joined all other items on the ground floor.

Shelves empty in the sandwiches section of the chilled food aisleShelves empty in the sandwiches section of the chilled food aisle
Shelves empty in the sandwiches section of the chilled food aisle

And those hoping to pick out some chilled food will also be left put out with covers down over some of the shelves.

The aisleways already seem closed.

Products on the bakery shelves running low soon after lunchtimeProducts on the bakery shelves running low soon after lunchtime
Products on the bakery shelves running low soon after lunchtime

But this has not stopped many people coming in for a last gander, and a change to buy an item from the store with a large queue for the tills seen inside.

There is no official closing down sale advertised, but only a continuation of the New Year sales.

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Asked when the shop will close tomorrow, a worker said ‘when we run out of everything’.

People queue up for probably their last purchase at M&S in BroadmeadPeople queue up for probably their last purchase at M&S in Broadmead
People queue up for probably their last purchase at M&S in Broadmead

It will ropen for the final time at 9am tomorrow.

Almost 90 staff work at the store.

The nearest Marks and Spencer stores from the city centre after Broadmead are at Cribbs Causeway and Longwell Green. There is also a food store at Avonmeads.

Outside Marks and Spencer in Broadmead ahead of the last day of businessOutside Marks and Spencer in Broadmead ahead of the last day of business
Outside Marks and Spencer in Broadmead ahead of the last day of business

Mr Dorrington said: “We appreciate that this will be disappointing news for some, and we would like to thank all our customers who have shopped with us in the store.”

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The closure has caused concern to city leaders, especially following the closure of the nearby Debenhams, which has been empty since May.

Mayor Marvin Rees said the closure of M&S was ‘not a surprise’, adding it highlighted the challenges faced by flagship department stores across the country

However, there is hope the city centre can bounce back from business leaders in the city centre, meanwhile while a preferred bidder is continuing talks over a takeover of Debenhams.

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