MARKS and Spencer is set to close its Northwich store in August.

The Leicester Street store – for which the company announced closure plans earlier this year – will shut its doors for the final time at 4pm on Saturday, August 17.

Northwich was shortlisted for closure along with 16 other stores nationwide in January, with staff in May that the decision had been confirmed.

M&S had been in discussions with Cheshire West and Chester Council to take up a smaller Barons Quay unit, but no agreement could be reached.

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CWAC chief executive Andrew Lewis said in May: “It’s deeply disappointing that M&S have confirmed their decision to close the Northwich store.

"Our immediate concerns are with those staff that will be affected by the closure.

"Council officers have been in discussion with M&S to try to establish whether there was any possibility that M&S could retain a presence in the town.

"Regrettably, M&S have not been able to establish a commercial case to remain in Northwich."

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The shop has been in Northwich since 1908, when a Marks and Spencer Penny Bazaar opened at 21 High Street.

In 1933 a new store with a Tudor-style front was built in Witton Street, where Clinton Cards is now – with the large branch extending back to Weaver Square.

Then, in 1992, it relocated to its current home in Leicester Street, when former occupiers Sainsbury’s moved to Venables Road, and has been there ever since.

Pete Swallow, M&S head of region, added, “Shopping habits are changing and reshaping our store estate to reflect this means making some difficult decisions.

"Over the last few months we’ve been working closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to see if we could find an alternative location, but unfortunately this hasn’t been possible.

"Our Northwich store will close this year, but we hope to see lots of customers continuing to shop with us online and at our other stores in the area, including Stockton Heath and Hale Foodhall.”