MARKS AND SPENCER has confirmed it will close its Swansea city centre store later this year, putting more than 90 jobs at risk.
The Oxford Street branch, a longstanding fixture in the heart of Swansea, has been a key destination for shoppers for decades. However, the company says the store has been underperforming for some time, leading to the decision to shut it. The store currently employs approximately 92 staff, all of whom were informed of the closure on Tuesday morning, 24 February.
A consultation with staff will now take place to explore potential alternative roles at other M&S sites, though the company has not confirmed any redundancies at this stage. No exact closing date has been set, but the store is expected to close later in 2026.
Richard Owen, M&S regional manager, said:
“Customer shopping habits are changing, and as part of our UK-wide store rotation programme, we’re adapting our estate to ensure we have the right stores with the right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience.
“The Swansea store has been an important part of the community for many decades. Unfortunately, it is not viable to keep the store open, as the building faces operational challenges requiring significant investment. Coupled with long-term underperformance, we must prioritise decisions that support long-term growth.”
M&S has maintained a presence in central Swansea for more than 100 years, and the company has not ruled out opening in a different location in the city in the future.
Mr Owen added:
“We know this will be disappointing for customers, and our priority is supporting colleagues through consultation, including finding alternative roles at nearby stores wherever possible. We will continue serving Swansea shoppers through these stores and online, while actively seeking a suitable location for a future full-line M&S store in Swansea.”
The announcement has sparked fresh concerns about the health of Swansea city centre’s high street, with M&S occupying a significant retail space on the main shopping thoroughfare.
Swansea Council expressed its disappointment, with a spokesman commenting:
“The news from M&S is extremely disappointing for staff and shoppers. The company confirmed yesterday that the current building and location no longer fit their business model, which has already seen 90 historic stores close and investment in new locations.
“We have spent several years working to prevent a closure at this site and will continue efforts to identify a new location that meets M&S’s needs and keeps them in the city. M&S has acknowledged the ongoing Swansea regeneration and remains committed to exploring alternative options.
“This decision is not a reflection on Swansea as a retail destination but is part of a wider national strategy. Our immediate thoughts are with the M&S staff, and we are committed to supporting them through this period of uncertainty.”
