CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Rhyl’s Marks & Spencer store fear it could spark a “domino effect” of shop closures.
Talks over the closure of the town’s flagship store will be held at the House of Commons between Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, Denbighshire Council leaders,Welsh Goverment representatives from the Welsh Government and M&S bosses.Mr Ruane said the meeting was initiated to prevent a “domino effect”.
“We’ve got to reinvigorate our high street. Marks & Spencer is the immediate issue. We are negotiating a delay in the departure or a reconsideration of the outright move.”
A Marks & Spencer spokeswoman said the company had started a consultation on the proposed relocation of the High Street Store.
She said: “Under our leasing agreement we have reached a point where we need to make a decision as to whether or not to extend the lease over the long term and a short term extension is not an option.
“As a result we have had to take the difficult decision to propose the closure of the store and propose relocation of the store to a new site in Prestatyn.”
Meanwhile, a groundswell of protest has seen campaigners collect hundreds of signatures, create, T-shirts and a pledge to write to Prince William.
The Save M&S Rhyl from Closure Facebook page, which was set up “keep the heart pumping” in Rhyl, has seen more than 500 people sign up in support.
Rhyl town councillor Margaret McCaroll, said: “It would be a tragedy if it closed. I still hope that they will change their mind out of consideration for staff and customers as it’s going to be a year before they get into the new premises. I know the staff are devastated.”