Dundee shoppers have had their say on plans for a new M&S superstore in the city and the closure of two existing outlets.
The retail giant will shut the Murraygate outlet, along with the foodhall at Gallagher Retail Park, next year.
These will be combined in a new larger shop elsewhere in the retail park in late 2023.
M&S says no staff will be lost in the move, with workers given the chance to transfer to the new site.
Concerns have been raised that some may struggle to access the new shop, which is just outside the city centre.
But others have welcomed the prospect of a bigger offering from M&S.
M&S Murraygate customers react to closure plans
Tina Pazienza, 92, visits the high street store every day.
She said: “It is shocking. I’m disappointed. This is easy for me because the bus stops right outside.
“I come here every day and then I get a coffee at Caffe Nero across the road.
“I won’t go to the retail park – I don’t even know where it is.”
If you’re not very mobile then the extra walk to the retail park is significant”
Stewart Fleming, 67, is another regular customer of the Murraygate shop.
He said: “It’s concerning for the older folks. If you’re not very mobile then the extra walk to the retail park is significant.
“It’s just depressing. It’ll be another huge building that lies empty.”
For busker Steven Low, 43, the closure could mean a loss in income.
The Murraygate M&S store is one of his regular “hotspots”.
He said: “It’s another blow to Dundee.
“I do my work here so it’ll affect me negatively.
“Busking outside M&S is one of my hotspots. I’ll have to go elsewhere.”
‘Councils need to do something about it’
Shopper Lorna Valentine, 69, says she is “gutted”.
She said: “It will impact other shops here – you come here to shop at M&S and then you nip into the other shops, grab a coffee.
“But it’s not just Dundee, it’s a problem all over. Councils need to do something about it.”
It’s wonderful news because you can park at the retail park easily”
Ann Martin, 73, has been doing her weekly food shop at M&S on the high street since she moved to Dundee three years ago.
She said: “It puts me off going to the retail park because I take the bus, which stops right here.
“I do drive but I prefer the bus – it’s cheaper and I don’t like to drive.”
Jenny Roberts, 75, another regular visitor to the store, said: “It’s bad news because there are no good supermarkets on the high street anymore.”
However some locals have welcomed the move.
Helen Walker, 60, who uses the foodhall store at Gallagher Retail Park, says she will enjoy having access to a larger M&S.
She said: “It’s a good idea.
“The car park is a nightmare though. It’s monitored by a private company and if you go over two hours you face a fine, which means there is time pressure.
“I think the parking should be free [all the time] to encourage people to come along.
“Other than that, I’ll enjoy a bigger store.”
A 68-year-old woman who asked not to be named said: “It’s wonderful news because you can park at the retail park easily.
“I drive so I’ll be able to make the most of the free parking.”
Posting on The Courier’s website, one other local said: “It is only about a 4/5-minute walk from the main Dundee bus station through the swimming pool.
“People exaggerate how far away it is.”
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander says the Murraygate closure is “another blow to our high street”.
Given the UK-wide restructure, this wasn't an entire surprise but it is certainly positive news that the intention is that no jobs are lost.
This announcement could have been far worse, particularly given the situation in other city's, where it is a straight closure. https://t.co/jYddcgdysR
— Councillor John Alexander (@CllrAlexander) June 21, 2022
He wrote on Twitter: “Given the UK-wide restructure, this wasn’t an entire surprise but it is certainly positive news that the intention is that no jobs are lost.
“This announcement could have been far worse, particularly given the situation in other cities, where it is a straight closure.
“That said, it’s another blow to our high street with another big name pulling out of the centre.
“Some could argue that Gallagher Retail Park is part of the wider city centre but that doesn’t help the Murraygate, specifically. I’ll be keeping a careful and hopeful eye on things.”
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