Major supermarket announces permanent closure of popular cafe at store after over 20 years in city
A MAJOR super market is set to permanently close a popular café in one of its city centre locations.
The café, housed in a city centre store, is to close as part of a transformation project.
Marks & Spencer in Douglas, the Isle of Man, is set to transform the site from top to bottom.
Part of the planned changes is the closure of the in store café which has been serving the community for more than 20 years.
The café was a favourite among locals who regularly popped in for a bite during their shopping trips.
M&S have said they will be transferring all staff to other departments with no job losses expected.
The café will be replaced by a larger in store bakery, two hot coffee machines and a hot chicken counter.
The site was already refurbished in just eight years ago in 2017.
Works on the new facelift are expected to begin towards the end of July.
As part of the revamp the existing food hall will expand by 50% using the space created by the now closed café.
There are also plans to expand the stores clothing and home departments.
The store is expected to remain open during the works as the supermarket aims to minimise disruption.
Revamp work is due to be finished in Spring 2026 with the launch of the refurbished store expected shortly after.
A Waterstones location on the same street closed its own café last month.
During the M&S revamp in 2017 the supermarket increased the size of its on site café.
A massive 600 square feet was reportedly added to the café during the works, increasing seating by a whopping 140.
The massive M&S store on Market Street was established in 1996 and has been serving locals ever since.
The closure of the café has come as a blow to locals who have been eating there for decades.
M&S reportedly aims to offer a fresh shopping experience to customers.
The closure of the café and associated revamp works are aimed at modernising the location.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans