Walworth M&S store to close after 111 years, leaving locals ‘devastated’ after losing ‘heartbeat of community’

A “much-loved” Marks & Spencer store in London is the latest to close following an extensive restructuring plan. M&S on Walworth Road in Southwark closed its doors for the last time on Saturday 8 June.

The store has been a staple on Walworth Road for 111 years, making it a landmark for many. Residents past and present took to X to share their memories of the store.

One person wrote: “What a terrible shame. Grew up in the area. Big loss to the area.” And another said: “Sad news. Family members worked in this M&S. A true heartbeat of the Walworth Road community. He will certainly be missed.”

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Taking to social media, the Walworth Society captured the store’s last day and said it was delighted by the “wonderful” staff. On X, they wrote: “Sad moment as after 111 years the doors close on Walworth Rd M&S for the last time.

“But a heartwarming send-off to the wonderful M&S staff from so many local people and words of thanks for the amazing service they have provided over so many years.”

Another local said the M&S store was a “lifesaver for fresh vegetables during the lockdowns when all the shops nearby were struggling with stock”. Labor backbencher Lord Kennedy also went to X to share his sadness at the store’s closure.

He said: “So sad to see the @marksandspencer store on Walworth Road close for the last time today. It served the community of Walworth and was much loved by local people who have shopped there for generations.”

When Marks & Spencer announced the Walworth Road store was earmarked for closure earlier this year, residents were left devastated. Speaking to MyLondon, Anne Purcell, who was visiting the store with her daughter Catherine Durkin, said the loss of Marks and Spencer from the high street would be “terrible” for Walworth. She said: “It is so essential. It’s always so busy – especially on weekends.

“I’ve been coming here for 25 years. I come mostly for fruit and shopping and also buy some clothes.” Her daughter Catherine added: ‘It’s such a shame. It’s handy for mum as it’s not too far for her to travel alone and it’s less crowded than central London.”

June O’Shea, 61, said she was worried about the void the shop’s absence would leave on the street. She said: “It is devastating for Walworth Road. Marks and Spencer attracts people from all over here.

“It will bring the high street down by not having it here. I think he had a problem with shoplifting. I see her around here more and more.”

In March, Gordon Scott, regional manager at Marks and Spencer, said: “Shopping habits are changing, so we are changing our store to ensure we have the right stores with the right space to give customers a brilliant shopping experience. As part of this transformation, last week we announced to colleagues our proposal to close the M&S Walworth Road store.

“Our priority at the moment is to talk to colleagues about what the announcement means for them. Should proposals go ahead, wherever possible we will offer them alternative roles with M&S. In the last two years alone, we have invested over £23 million in our London stores.”

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