M&S planning to close down its Exchange Ilford store

A spokesperson for M&S confirmed to The Recorder today (March 15) that it is discussing the proposed closure of its Ilford store and broke the news to staff last week. 

There is no estimated decision date in mind yet as to whether or not the store will shut down.

The discussions have been spurred on by the chain in line with its 2017 decision to "accelerate [the] store closure programme". 

M&S in Ilford is in the Exchange shopping centre (Image: Google Maps)

According to an M&S spokesperson, sales at the Ilford store in the Exchange shopping centre have been on a "consistent" decline and so it is now re-evaluating the store's future. 

Nicholas Pucci, M&S regional manager, said: "Shopping habits are changing, so we're rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores with the right space to offer customers a brilliant shopping experience. 

READ MORE: 'Ilford's changed' - The empty shops on our high street

"Our priority now is to talk to our colleagues about what this announcement means for them. Should the proposals go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles with M&S wherever possible. 

The decision to close has not been decided yet. (Image: Google Maps)“We would like to thank all our customers who have shopped in the store, and we will be working hard to keep serving them in our other stores in the local area." 

If the store does close, the nearest M&S would be at Westfield Stratford City.