SHOPPERS have been left gutted after a major high street retailer closed the doors on one of its branches for good. M&S has permanently pulled down the shutters on its branch in Neath, Wales , in a blow for locals. The posh retailer confirmed in February the branch was earmarked for closure , but didn't announce what date it would shut.
But a picture recently posted on Facebook shows signs have been put up in the shop's windows saying "we're now closed". The post also shows even a clock on the wall of the branch has been taken down. Commenting on the post, shoppers have been left gutted after finding out the store has closed permanently.
One said: "What are they doing to Neath? Apart from destroying it." A second added: "Sadly we are now seeing the demise of Neath. "Once a thriving market town , but no longer anymore.
" Others have been left wistful after finding out the clock has been taken down. One said: "That thing was like Big Ben in Neath." Another added: "It's so sad to see M&S has gone and the clock they could have left the clock surely.
" A third commented: "Awww I am going to miss that clock." It comes following a string of Marks and Spencer store closures as part of radical restructuring plans announced by bosses. Branches in Manchester , Swindon, Peterborough and Cheltenham have all closed since August last year.
In total, the chain has said it wants to close 67 "lower productivity" sites between 2022 and 2027. But yesterday, it confirmed it had delivered some of it.