A DATE has been set for the permanent closure of the Marks & Spencer store on Maiden's Walk in Hexham.

The official statement announcing the news was made on Tuesday, April 9 (yesterday) which revealed that the store will shut its doors for good on May 25.

This comes after M&S bosses revealed they were 'proposing' its closure a few months ago on February 27.

Many hoped to change senior officers' minds with a petition created by Tynedale resident Simon Kitchen, who claimed he was a 'regular patron of the store' and wanted to inspire many others to save it.

Despite it reaching over 2,558 signatures from residents all over Hexham and district areas, it was to no avail.

This store will be one of the latest to shut as M&S plans to close dozens of stores UK-wide over the next five years, which is hoped will save the business millions of pounds.

As well as it being a huge loss for the town, members of staff who worked at the store will be offered 'alternative roles' within the company.

Philip Barker-Thomson, M&S Regional Manager, said: “After consulting with our colleagues, the store will close on the 25th of May. Our priority is continuing individual discussions with our colleagues and wherever possible, we will offer them alternative roles with M&S.

"Though never an easy decision, shopping habits are changing so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores in the right place and with the right space to offer a brilliant shopping experience.

"We would like to thank all our customers who have shopped in the store over the years. We will be working hard to keep serving them in our other stores across the North East, including our Northumberland Street and Metrocentre stores, and online at marksandspencer.com.

"In the last year, we have invested £13million in our stores across the region and later this spring, we will be opening our new Washington Galleries store.

Upon hearing the news of the closure, Hexham Mayor, Derek Kennedy, said: "This is very sad news, the staff will be losing their livelihoods and the customers a much loved store.

"M&S are closing stores across the nation as part of their strategy and unfortunately they have included Hexham in the closures.

"We just hope the empty premises are taken over by another organisation quickly."