M&S Announces Closure of 14 In-Store Cafés Amid Major Store Revamp

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has revealed plans to close 14 of its in-store cafés in 2026 as part of a significant store transformation aimed at improving product variety and customer experience. This decision impacts multiple locations across the UK, including branches in Birmingham, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Suffolk, and Scotland.

Katie Whelan, M&S’s regional manager for Congleton, explained the rationale behind the closures: “We know many of our customers want to shop a wider range of M&S Food. After reviewing our Congleton store, we are repurposing the café space to provide more product choice and enhance the overall shopping experience. While we understand this will be disappointing for some, our teams remain committed to delivering excellent service in-store.”

This shake-up comes alongside the launch of The Love That Drop, a new monthly capsule collection designed to refresh M&S’s approach to fashion. The initiative introduces a faster turnaround from design to store shelves, enabling the retailer to offer trend-led apparel more frequently. Maddy Evans, Director of M&S Woman, commented, “The Love That Drop is about delivering modern, stylish pieces that feel fresh and relevant while maintaining the quality and value our customers trust. This approach strengthens our style credentials and supports online growth.”

Locations affected by the café closures include Crawley (West Sussex), Dunblane (Stirling, Scotland), Congleton (Cheshire), Stone (Staffordshire), Anlaby and Hull (East Riding of Yorkshire), Martlesham Heath (Ipswich), Bidston Moss, Bishop Auckland, and several sites in Kent such as South Aylesford, Strood Retail Park, Whitstable, Canterbury, and Sittingbourne Retail Park.

While the decision marks the end of an era for many shoppers who enjoy a hot drink or snack while browsing, M&S is positioning itself for a more dynamic retail future focused on greater product variety and speed in fashion delivery.