M&S has announced that it is closing its Silver Street store in Durham in April. All 48 staff who work at the store will be moving to nearby stores.

The closure is part of M&S’s programme to modernise its UK store estate to better meet the changing needs of customers.

Although the city centre store will close, M&S has a store at the Arniston Centre, which includes clothing, home and food, café, a ‘Click & Collect’ service and 1,400 free parking spaces.

We asked for your comments, here are a few:

"Had to happen, Durham Council long since abandoned the city centre. They are only interested in keeping the students happy, and creating a boozers' paradise.

"Ice rink gone, yet £4 million was pumped into the cricket club, golf course gone, replaced with high council tax 'executive' housing, DLI museum gone, Whinney Hill school gone.

"Mr Henig should hang his head in shame. Why don't you visit Billingham Forum on a Saturday morning Mr Henig, and see what an ice rink facility brings, ah, sorry no, you can't, no money in it!

"Can someone explain what (Durham MP Roberta) Blackman-Woods' meeting councillors about M&S decision to close a store will achieve? Nothing, but it looks like they care!

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"As a retail manager in Durham city centre it is sad to lose such an important company like M&S, however I hope the council doesn't allow the property to be geared towards the ever-growing student population."

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"I believe the closure of this store will be another blow to the residents of the city as it is sure to be turned in to more student accommodation.

"The days are soon arriving when the whole of the peninsula and surrounding area will be one big campus of which locals will have no need or compulsion to visit."

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I am utterly shocked and appalled that yet again Durham city centre loses another decent store! I live within walking distance of the city and M&S was a fantastic location for me to pop into. 

"The thought of traveling over to the Arnison fills me with dread! The thought of having to travel to M&S over at the Arnison centre at Christmas to collect my usual order has put me off completely! It’s an absolute nightmare and to be avoided like the plague. 

"Disappointed doesn’t come close to how I feel about this ridiculous closer.

Susan Banks

"It’s a real shame M&S have decided to close their store in Durham city centre.

"Perhaps they will consider opening a food only store? Even so, it does make it more difficult for the older customers who regularly buy clothing there, especially after the collapse of BHS.

"At least Durham’s high street will survive, whereas the closure of M&S in South Shields a few years ago killed the town." 

Susan Smith

"My wife and I have lived in Durham for over 40 years and do a substantial part of our shopping in the Durham City store.

"We consider that the closure of this store is an act of vandalism and will be very damaging to the city, which has seen a significant decline in the “offer” over recent years.

"Many residents will now no longer be able to walk to the shops and be forced to use their cars to shop at the Arnison Centre or Dragonville. The decline in the provision of a range of shops is reflected by the the disproportionate numbers of students that have taken over family homes in the centre of town.

"The houses in Durham were once occupied by families with young children. Tourists coming to Durham often ask 'where are the shops?' 

The centre will have a great number of coffee shops/restaurants and pubs, but not much else - M&S was always considered the anchor for a town.

"We feel sorry for the staff who have now lost their ‘community’ and wish them well. We will not be shopping at M&S much in the future as we wish to walk to the shops, while we are still able.

Francis Newton

"It's sad to see the Durham store closing, but after all it is a business which needs to be profitable.

"More and more people choose to shop "out of town" where they can enjoy bigger stores and convenient free parking, so it's obvious that M&S will choose to keep their Arnison Centre store open in preference to the city centre shop.

"Until councils wake up to the fact that we need convenient and free/cheaper parking in city centres, then the exodus will continue."

Ken Richardson

"I am appalled at this store closing. It’s all about money and if the profit isn’t there then no one wants to find out what it is the public wants.

"Lots of people don’t drive and can’t get to other out of town shops so the profit will be less as you are taking away the choices we have.

"People will just go to other stores which are convenient and M&S will miss out again. We are going to have nothing left in Durham the tourists will stop coming and you will have shot yourself in the foot. 
"What a sad day that will be.

"If they are going then we need to get the bigger stores in and reduce the rents and rates. I have been going to Durham on a Saturday with my sister for 55 years and this store was always a part of our visits."

June Young

"So an MP is going to discuss this with Council officials WHY? It’s a no brainier it costs money to keep a store open in a city location and parking is expensive and very hard to find.

"So talk for as long as they want but until parking in town and city centres is cheaper or free for at least a couple of hours this will happen more often.

"We are entering a very challenging world with Brexit so if we don’t improve centre parking in towns and cities we will lose all large stores."

Martin Flanagan

"Disastrous decision. For people living in the city centre without a car, doing their shopping on foot, it is a huge blow, especially with regard to the high quality food.

"I cannot imagine city centre dwellers getting on buses to shop at the Arnison Centre.

"The city centre desperately needs to maintain attractive shops, not just telephone outlets & charity shops.

"Soon only people with smartphones, credit cards and cars will be able to participate fully in society."

Barbara Thomas

"Devastated. Used this store for 30 years, local shop for my mum also devastated, we never go to the Arnison Centre so no more M&S for us. Know all the staff. Disappointed and angry for the retailers in Durham too, another high street shop leaving the city."

Lisa MacDonald

"I used to work there as a Christmas casual. It's a sad day for the  people of Durham City, the staff obviously and the City of Durham itself.

"The site is worth a fortune probably reason it is being closed always been an institution to me."

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