Beloved department store gets new life after abruptly closing following 106 years on the high street
A BELOVED department store is getting a new lease of life after abruptly closing following 106 years.
M&S is set to breathe new life into the site in New Malden in south London with an all-new food store.
It comes after more than a thousand members of the public signed a petition asking for an M&S to move in.
The chain has now confirmed the move and is planning to open its new convenience size shop in early 2024.
The Tudor Williams department store closed its doors for the final time back in 2019 and the building has been left unoccupied ever since.
M&S will open the site on the ground floor of the building.
Residents in the area have said the addition will bring a “boost” to the area.
One said: “Excellent news. The boost out high street needs.”
Another wrote: “This is good news. M&S has finally in New Malden High Street! Very nice.”
A third commented: “Wonderful just what we need, I did sign the petition!”
And a fourth posted: “That’s great news.”
A local councillor launched the petition following the closure of the local Wilko after the chain fell into administration back in August.
An M&S spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to confirm that a brand-new M&S Food store will be opening on New Malden high street in early 2024.
“We will be sure to keep the local community updated as our plans progress.”
Concerns had been growing about the future of the high street if empty store fronts remained.
Tudor Williams first opened back in 1913 and was a staple of the high street for 106 years before its closure.
The family-run business also owned and operated to other department stores.
Another site in Dorking also closed its doors in 2021, while the remaining Elphicks of Farnham remains up and running.
The news comes after several other shops have been given fresh hope after being taken over by other chains.
A Debenhams store in Blackpool last closed its doors in 2021 but will get a whole new makeover in November this year.
The Frasers Group is currently refurbishing the former site and is set to open one of its Frasers new concept stores in just weeks.
Shoppers are delighted and have taken to social media to share their excitement at the news.
Meanwhile, more than a hundred Co-op petrol stations are set to reopen as mini Asdas.
The supermarket giant previously signed on the dotted line to take over 132 Co-op sites and has now revealed the full list of those yet to reopen.
It comes as the chain is expanding its convenience-format stores across the country.
And, a new Aldi branch will replace what was once a Co-op store after it permanently closed last year in Lees, Oldham.
Plus Tesco is taking over a former Morrisons site too.
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