M&S urged to rethink Wakefield city centre closure as work to start on new store

Wakefield Conservatives have asked Marks and Spencer to consider keeping a store in The Ridings, after the retailer confirmed it will begin work next year on a new 18,000 sq ft food store at City Fields off Neil Fox Way, Stanley.

M&S has not set a date for the planned closure of its Wakefield city centre branch, prompting Wakefield and Rothwell Conservative Association chairman Naeem Formuli to write to chief executive Stuart Machin.

In his letter, Mr Formuli said the store had long been part of the city centre and argued that it served customers who rely on bus travel, particularly older residents and people who do not drive.

He also said the cafe was an important social space and warned that a departure, together with Primark's relocation, would reduce footfall in The Ridings and the wider city centre.

Mr Formuli pointed to Wakefield Council's recent purchase of The Ridings, saying the change in ownership might allow a different commercial discussion about the space.

He asked M&S whether it would consider any commercially viable option to keep a meaningful presence in Wakefield city centre, either alongside or instead of the proposed City Fields Foodhall.

The letter also asked whether a different rental or lease arrangement with the council could alter the company's assessment.

Mr Formuli wrote: "For generations, M&S has been part of Wakefield city centre. Many customers, particularly older residents, travel by bus from communities across the district.

"For them, visiting M&S is not simply about shopping. The cafe is somewhere to meet friends, celebrate birthdays, have lunch and socialise. The city-centre location is also important for people who do not drive.

"Its departure, alongside Primark's relocation, would also reduce a significant source of footfall for The Ridings and the surrounding city centre, with potential implications for other shops, cafes and independent businesses.

"There has also been a significant change since M&S's January announcement: Wakefield Council now owns The Ridings. That change in ownership may create scope for a different commercial discussion about the terms on which space could be occupied within the centre.

"Given that no closure date has yet been set, we would be grateful if M&S could clarify whether it would be willing to consider any commercially viable option for retaining a meaningful M&S presence in Wakefield city centre, whether alongside, or as an alternative to, the proposed City Fields Foodhall.

"In particular, we would welcome the opportunity to understand whether a materially different rental or lease arrangement with the Council could affect M&S's commercial assessment, and what conditions would need to exist for such an option to be considered.

"We would be pleased to discuss this with your property team. There is considerable local affection for M&S in Wakefield, and we hope the period before a closure date is confirmed provides an opportunity for all realistic options for the city-centre store to be properly considered."

M&S says the new food hall at City Fields will be double the size of the existing food section at the Ridings store in Wakefield city centre.

The company has been asked to comment.

Aldi is due to start building work on a new store at the district centre at City Fields later this year.

Primark is set to open a new store in the former Debenhams unit at Trinity Walk in Wakefield city centre.