M&S to close 69-year-old Swansea store in ‘huge shock’ to council

The retailer confirmed the proposed closure is due to a “sustained decline in sales over 10 years,” making the huge Oxford Street store no longer viable. While no exact date has been set, the closure is planned for late 2026.

In a letter to council leader Rob Stewart, M&S Head of External Affairs, Adam Hawksbee, explained the decision was part of a UK-wide programme to ensure stores are in the “right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience.”

“This proposal follows a sustained decline in sales over 10 years, meaning it is no longer viable as a full-line store,” Mr Hawksbee wrote. “Our store rotation programme is about ensuring we have the right stores, in the right place with the right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience for our customers.”

Responding on Facebook, Cllr Rob Stewart called the decision “hugely disappointing” and a “huge shock to the council, as it will to the staff and customers.”

He revealed that the council had successfully worked behind the scenes to prevent the store from being included in previous national closure rounds.

“We had successfully worked behind the scenes engaging with M&S senior decision makers to avoid this store being included in the previous rounds of M&S closures and have been encouraging M&S to invest,” Cllr Stewart said. “However yesterday’s urgent meeting and the letter that followed, has come as a huge shock.”

An official Swansea Council statement added: “The news from M&S is extremely disappointing for staff and shoppers. We’ve spent several years actively working to prevent M&S closing at this location.”

Despite the closure, both parties have stated they are committed to keeping the M&S brand in Swansea. The council confirmed it will “do all we can to help M&S find an alternative store location in Swansea.”

This is reinforced in the M&S letter, which states: “Despite the proposed closure, M&S remains fully committed to serving customers across Wales… while actively looking for a suitable location for a future full-line M&S store in Swansea.”

Once the Oxford Street store closes, shoppers will still be able to visit M&S Foodhalls at Fforestfach Retail Park and in Mumbles. The nearest full-line department store will be at Parc Trostre in Llanelli.

The closure is another blow to the city centre, with the M&S building occupying a prime position next door to the council’s recently opened Y Storfa community hub, which itself is housed in the former BHS building.

The move is part of a wider national strategy that has already seen nearly 90 M&S stores close, including the Neath store in 2025.

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