M&S Shuts Down 14 Cafes Across UK: Full List of Locations Revealed
Marks and Spencer has announced the closure of 14 of its popular in-store cafes across the United Kingdom, delivering a significant blow to loyal shoppers who frequent these dining spots. The full list of affected locations has been disclosed, with cafes either already shuttered or scheduled to close imminently.
Impact on Shoppers and Store Strategy
On its official website, M&S proudly promotes its cafes, highlighting offerings from brilliant brunches to sensational sweet treats and barista-made hot drinks. The retailer states, You’ll find a tempting range of food and drink in our cafés. However, this cherished feature is being removed from multiple stores, including branches in Birmingham and other key regions.
For example, former M&S regional manager Katie Whelan explained the decision for the Congleton store, noting, After reviewing our Congleton store, we are re-purposing the café space in-store to provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience. This move aligns with M&S's broader strategy to optimize retail space and enhance customer offerings.
Broader Business Context and Growth Plans
Despite these closures, M&S experienced a blockbuster year in 2025, with its share price surging by 40% and gains in market share across both food and clothing divisions. In 2017, the company operated 261 food-only stores, many through franchise partners. Today, it boasts 325 fully owned food stores and aims to expand to 420 by 2028.
Boss Archie Norman commented on the company's trajectory, stating, I do believe that we have shown the opportunity of making M&S a great business. The critical thing now is to create a growth business. We are in a very strong position to achieve this and we have a plan. He added, We have a plan but it’s a high wire act and we have got to keep both feet on the wire, emphasizing the delicate balance required in their expansion efforts.
Full List of Affected M&S Cafe Locations
These are the M&S cafes that have already closed or are due to close permanently this year:
- Crawley, West Sussex
- Dunblane, Stirling, Scotland
- Congleton, Cheshire
- Stone, Staffordshire
- Anlaby, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
- Bidston Moss
- Bishop Auckland
- South Aylesford, Kent
- Strood Retail Park, Kent
- Whitstable, Kent
- Canterbury, Kent
- Sittingbourne Retail Park
This development marks a significant shift in M&S's retail approach, as the company continues to adapt its store formats to meet evolving consumer demands and strategic growth objectives.
