M&S announces UK store in business for nearly a century is to close

M&S is closing a store that has been operating for almost a century as it relocates to a new location. The branch, in the town centre of Kilmarnock, first opened on King's Street in the Scottish town back in 1936, meaning it's been serving customers for around 90 years.

However, the supermarket giant will be opening another branch to replace it in Kilmarnock's Queens Drive Retail Park, which is less than 10 minutes away by car. The new site, which will take over from a unit formerly occupied by B&M, is set to open next year, when the King Street branch closes.

David Anderson, M&S Regional Manager, said the switchover would be taking place next winter, and that the move would provide a significantly larger foodhall for customers.

"Customer shopping habits are changing, and we're adapting by rotating our store estate to ensure we have the right stores with the right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience for our customers," he said.

"We're proud to announce a multi-million pound investment in relocating our Kilmarnock store to Queens Drive Retail Park, creating a modern 14,860 sq ft store with a 62.5 per cent larger foodhall and an improved, accessible shopping environment.

"Once the new store opens in winter 2026, our existing King Street store will close.

"We are offering our colleagues alternative roles at the new store and in the wider area, and in the meantime, we look forward to continuing to serve the people of Kilmarnock."

Affected staff will be offered positions at the Queen Drive Retail Park store store or other branches in the surrounding area, The Sun reports.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, said the announcement was "bittersweet" for their town, "which, like many town centres, is already facing some considerable challenges as a retail destination".

"M&S have had a presence in Kilmarnock for almost 100 years, but we recognise that their business model has changed in recent years and appreciate their desire to look at different premises in the town, as part of a much wider national strategy," he added.

"Future proposals will be subject to the local planning process and will require to be considered by the Planning Committee in due course. We have not yet had sight of the information associated with the planning application, and as such we do not know the full extent of M&S intentions.

"By working together with businesses, developers and investors we are committed to doing all that we can to protect local jobs and support existing businesses to breathe new life into the town centre."