M&S at Maiden's Walk, Hexham closes permanently in May

M&S on Maiden's Walk closed permanently on May 25, despite a petition set up by Tynedale resident Simon Kitchen who wanted to inspire residents to help save the store. 

Karen and Robert Grey, who live in Hexham, said: "We went to B&M just yesterday, but after M&S closing it seemed very quiet. I think it did bring a lot of people and locals to the area. It's a shame it has closed."

READ MORE: 'Thank you and goodbye' - What next for M&S building as retail giant closes?

The couple shopped in M&S once a week before the closure and believe the town needs more similar shops, such as new clothing stores.

Hexham resident Cindy Harrison (Image: Natalie Finnigan)

"Everything seems to be deteriorating here rather than being uplifted. We've only lived here for a year and half, we came from the Wansbeck area of Northumberland. But Hexham is a lovely place."

Karen said the empty shops will deter tourists. "It's going to come to the point where people aren't going to come here, which is a shame for the other businesses. Something needs to be done to get the trade coming in," she added. 

Cindy Harrison, who also lives in Hexham, said there are not many options where people can buy clothes in Hexham.

Carmel and Pam from Amble (Image: Natalie Finnigan)

Amble residents Carmel Adamson and Pam Milburn visited Hexham for the day and said their nearest M&S store is in Morpeth, however, it is only a food hall.

Carmel said: "It was a big draw for the town, it was a big shock to lose. Quite a few shops have closed since I came here the last time."

Pam said: "For clothes I am disappointed [it has closed], I do like to look and touch rather than just going online. Sizes don't always match up, you can buy something and it's too big or too small.

"It's disappointing, Hexham is going to lose a lot of custom I think, M&S I'm sure must have been a big draw for shoppers. With Debenhams closing as well, we're losing a lot of those kinds of stores. Certainly, for women of our age, it's getting harder and harder to find shops that sell clothes for us."

Gosforth residents Karen and John, who visit the Tyne Valley and Hexham occasionally, said Hexham 'has a lot of character but it's the shops which let the place down'.

"I think they should put a Marks and Spencer Food Hall in the old part of Hexham, it's very sad there are so many empty shops but it's the same everywhere," John said.