A RETAIL boss at Marks and Spencer has spoken out over the company’s decision to leave the city centre after having operated in Colchester High Street for than 90 years.

The High Street branch of Marks and Spencer closed its doors for the final time last Tuesday, before going on to officially open its new retail unit in Stane Park the following day.

But in an email – seen by the Gazette – from Marks and Spencer chief operating officer Stuart Machin, the newly-appointed boss explained the outdated structure of the store, as well as its environmentally unsustainable design, were major factors in the company’s decision to leave the city centre unit.

In an email to a campaigner, he said: “Painful though it is, we are in the process of relocating and in some instances closing altogether in a number of towns.

“Keeping the existing store open is not an option for us as it is on four floors with stock rooms at the top, has very poor building fabric, is expensive to operate and maintain, and [is] not environmentally sustainable.

Gazette: Campaigners were left bitterly disappointed after Marks and Spencer pushed ahead with its move to Stane Retail ParkCampaigners were left bitterly disappointed after Marks and Spencer pushed ahead with its move to Stane Retail Park (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

“I am sorry to have to tell you that it is going to close.”

Mr Machin was appointed as recently as May this year having previously held the position of managing director for the retailer’s food line.

He added in his email: “Unfortunately, Marks and Spencer has not modernised its store estate sufficiently in the past and we have quite a number of old stores like Colchester which are no longer fit for purpose.

“At the same time, the market has moved on with the development of online and the locations that once worked for these clothing and food stores no longer perform.

“Most other retailers have moved to more popular and convenient, modern stores.”

Campaigners had previously hoped Marks and Spencer would continue to operate a food hall on the ground floor of the High Street store, but Mr Machin’s recent email has put an end to that prospect whilst the unit remains empty.

Builders started removing signs to the front of the High Street store within minutes of it closing last Tuesday.