M&S closure at Exchange Ilford: Shoppers have their say

M&S has become the latest big brand to leave the town centre, following the departure of Wilko and The Body Shop. 

The store in Exchange Ilford closed permanently on June 29, after the chain revealed it was starting closure talks in March as a result of a "consistent" decline in sales.

The store closed towards the end of June (Image: Olivia Carter) Signs reading "Thank you & goodbye. We're now closed," have been placed over the windows of the unit, covering them completely.

Jane Leighton, a shopper, said: "M&S has been an anchor high street store.

"I think it could be opened up to the community as some sort of enterprise, it could be some kind of hub. 

"We don't have to replace like with like. I think there's opportunity to do things differently here. 

"Any new ideas that people have I would encourage, I would support. 

"If you are comparing it to other high streets then you could say it's missing a department store or a food offer.

The store formed part of the Exchange Ilford shopping centre (Image: Olivia Carter) "Personally, I would like to see it used creatively to test new ideas and be representative of the local community."

Many of the shoppers we spoke to said they wanted M&S back rather than having something replace it. 

One lady told our reporter that she had come to Ilford for the M&S store particularly, only to find it closed. 

Another shopper, Georgeta Szabo, was shocked at the news.

She said: "M&S is closed already? Everything is closing. I don't like that everything's closing.

"I don't like online shopping. (We need) another similar shop like M&S. I don't know why they are closing, they are good."

Shoppers wishing to visit an M&S store will have to travel to their next nearest location in Westfield Stratford City, Romford, or Wanstead.

The future of the now vacant unit remains unclear (Image: Olivia Carter) On our previous visit to Ilford on February 29, shoppers admitted they were travelling outside of the town to make their purchases. 

This was echoed by some shoppers we spoke with yesterday (July 11).

READ MORE: Shopping centre reopens after 'downpour' causes closure

Julie Osambde said she wants to see an Asda store or River Island replace the now empty M&S unit.  

Julie told us: "To be honest, I'm not happy about it because you have to travel to Romford. If not to Romford, to Westfield. 

"We have Next already, we have H&M, we have New Look."