The high-stakes meeting comes after the bombshell announcement that M&S will close its 69-year-old city centre store as part of a national strategy, a move that sparked widespread dismay among shoppers and politicians alike, as Swansea Bay News previously reported in M&S to close 69-year-old Swansea store in huge shock to council and the subsequent political row over job losses.
Mr Bell wasted no time in confronting regional and national M&S figures, making it clear that the closure of such a long-standing fixture in Swansea was “deeply disappointing.”
“This is a company that has been a major part of life in Swansea for decades,” Mr Bell stated, reflecting the sentiment of hundreds of residents who have already signed a grassroots petition against the closure.
The MP focused on two critical issues during the talks, which took place today.
His immediate priority was to ensure M&S does “everything they can to support the 92 local staff who may be affected,” including those who wish to transfer into other roles within the company.
Crucially, Mr Bell also “strongly urged” the retail giant to work hand-in-hand with Swansea Council to identify a suitable new site, ensuring M&S maintains a vital presence in the heart of the city.
“I am glad to say they are open to” finding a new site, Mr Bell confirmed, offering a glimmer of hope for the future of M&S in Swansea.
The closure has ignited a fierce debate about the future of Swansea city centre, with politicians demanding action and a row erupting over council “vanity projects,” as covered by Swansea Bay News in Politicians demand action as M&S closure sparks row over council ‘vanity projects’.
Mr Bell used the opportunity to “double down on our efforts to regenerate the city centre,” highlighting the progress already made with the opening of Y Storfa, the regeneration of the Palace Theatre, and the success of the Arena.
He also noted that work to renew Castle Gardens is underway, painting a picture of a city centre in transition.
A “personal priority” for the MP is securing the funds to ensure the Civic Centre has a new lease of life, as the city focuses on “building our city centre’s future, as well as remembering its past.”
The M&S closure is part of a wider national strategy by the company to shut a quarter of all its larger format stores across the UK, a development Swansea Bay News reported in Marks and Spencer announce they will close a quarter of all larger format stores.
