SHOPPERS have been left confused after learning that a high street chain is closing one of their key services.
M&S confirmed that they closed their Cafe in Didcot‘s Foodhall, Orchard Street on March 23.
Locals took to social media to express their disappointment and confusion at the news.
One Facebook user fumed: “Pathetic the cafes are always busy what is the reason behind this?”
Another user added: “Such a lovely cafe, seemed busy, what’s happening?”
While a third user suggested: “If they close the cafe they no longer have to provide toilet facilities.”
An M&S spokesperson told The Sun: “Following a review, we have informed colleagues at our Didcot store that the café will be closing on 23 March.
“Whilst we understand some people will be disappointed by this news, we can reassure customers that our Didcot store will continue serving shoppers as normal and all colleagues will continue working in other roles in store.”
This isn’t the first time that M&S has announced a cafe closure in recent months.
The retailer closed its M&S Cafe in Cookstown, Northern Ireland and Hollingbury, Brighton at the end of last year.
Although M&S also closed some of its larger stores, moving from 247 to just 180, the company claim that these locations will uphold higher quality, higher productivity, and stock more products.
The company has also said that it plans to open over 100 bigger Foodhall sites by 2028.
Yet, many retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.
The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.
Since then energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
For the most part, supermarkets have braved the storm as they provide essential items like food and drink.
Asda opening 21 new stores this year and it builds plans to covert 470 stores it has acquired from Co-op.
Other retailers have not been so lucky, The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closing.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.
Major banks have also announced multiple branch closures.
Barclays is to start pulling the shutters down on 14 sites in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland as soon as April.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Here’s a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:
