The major retailer’s prominent store at the city shopping centre is closing down today (Saturday) and shoppers were out visiting the store one last time.
Shelves in the food hall were nearly empty and the café upstairs had a limited menu, but customers were out to see what Marks & Spencer had on offer on its final day.
One Bradford woman spoke about her sadness that Marks & Spencer is closing at The Broadway.
“It’s sad that it’s shutting,” she said. “I shopped for food and now and again I would shop in other parts of the store.
“It was part of my daily routine. Now I probably won’t shop in the shopping centre anymore.
“I will be sad to see it go. I live nearby and I always stopped there on my way home from work.”
“I’m disappointed,” said another woman who did some shopping in the food hall on the last day. “There’s nothing left on the shelves.”
“I shopped for food there and they did some good meal deals in the food hall.
“They’re not as expensive as people think and they sell some quality clothes.”
“It’s so sad to see it go,” said a Bradford man. “You could get some quality clothes and nice food in the store and food hall.
“But I really liked visiting the café. It was a great place to meet and have lunch or a coffee.”
The M&S has been in The Broadway since it opened in 2015 and at this stage it not known what will replace it.
The T&A has contacted Marks & Spencer for a comment about it last day, but has yet to heard back from the store.
Vickie Smith, Marks & Spencer regional manager, told the Telegraph & Argus in April: “We would like to thank all customers who have shopped with us at our Bradford Broadway store.
“The store will close on May 18 and we are continuing discussions with colleagues about what this decision means for them.
“Wherever possible, we will offer them alternative roles with M&S.
“Shopping habits are changing and so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores in the right place and with the right space.
“Bradford remains a hugely important city for M&S and, in the last 10 years, we’ve invested more than £120million in our Bradford distribution centre, which employs over 1,800 people.
“We have also invested £20m in recent years in our stores across West Yorkshire.”
She said the company would continue to serve customers at Marks & Spencer branches at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bingley, Ilkley – all Simply Food outlets – as well as Owlcotes at Pudsey, and online.
Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, also previously told the T&A: “M&S closing its store at The Broadway is a loss for both the city centre and the wider Bradford district, and we are thinking of all those affected.”
