Swansea’s ‘Flagship’ M&S Store Set to Close

Marks & Spencer has confirmed that its Oxford Street flagship store in Swansea city centre will close later this year, ending nearly 70 years of trading at the location. The company cited declining sales and a shift toward smaller, more profitable store formats as part of its wider UK estate strategy.

Around 92 staff are at risk, with M&S initiating consultations on redeployment and support. Swansea Council described the closure as a “huge shock” to the city centre, while the company said it is exploring options to maintain a presence elsewhere in Swansea.

The closure follows a pattern of historic high street losses in the area, including the earlier departure of Debenhams and M&S’s Neath store in 2024.

Responding to the news, Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:

“This is terrible news for Swansea City centre and for the staff, although this is a sickeningly familiar story to many whose high streets have lost historic stores. 

“As with Marks and Spencer’s departure from Neath in May 2024, this is more than losing a job or losing a shop, it’s losing a piece of local history. The Oxford Street store is an important part of many people’s lives, not least for the 92 who work there currently. During its 100 year presence in Swansea, there will have been people who have given their working lives to this store and loyal customers who have helped build this company’s multimillion pound profits.

“I’m glad to see the company not ruling out maintaining a presence in Swansea, but that location should be in the city centre, and not out of town. 

“I’ve written to Welsh Government asking what support will be offered to staff, and I will be writing to M&S to urge them to retain a full-line store in the area.”