Marks and Spencer has confirmed plans to repurpose the café space at its Westbridge Park store in Stone, as part of a move to expand the range of food products available to customers.
The change was confirmed in a statement issued to A Little Bit of Stone by the retailer, following questions from customers about the future of the in store café. No confirmed date has been given for when the changes will take place.
A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said the decision followed a review of the Westbridge Park site, with the focus on providing greater product choice rather than café seating.
Katie Whelan, Regional Manager at M&S, said
“We know many of our customers want to be able to shop a wider range of M&S Food. That’s why after reviewing our Westbridge Park store, we are re-purposing the café space to provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience.
“We understand this will be disappointing news for some of our customers however our team will continue working hard to serve them in-store.”
M&S has not confirmed when the café will close or when work to repurpose the space will begin. The company said customers will be kept updated as plans progress.
In recent years, Marks and Spencer has been reviewing its store estate nationally, with a growing emphasis on food sales and foodhall investment. Across the UK, several stores have seen café areas reduced or removed to make room for additional chilled, fresh, or convenience food ranges.
For now, the café remains open, with further updates expected once a timeline has been confirmed.
14 comments
Steve Booth
A bad mistake. I give talks to groups around the county and was recently in Cheadle. One of the committee asked where I came from. When I said Stone he said – “Oh, we love going there and sitting at the tables outside the lovely M&S cafe watching the canal boats”. I didn’t dare tell him
that it was closing!
Henri Paul
It is not one size fits all! M & S you have made a grave error of judgement. You would need to visit the store then you might see the wood from the trees. A complete farce in closing the cafe, a big mistake and shame on you M & S for taking away peoples pleasure. Head in sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deep Dig Bob
A short-sighted and very disappointing decision! On my visits the cafe appears well used, at times finding a seat can be difficult. I regularly visit Stafford M&S too, whilst it is much larger, I see little evidence of a larger range-simply more of the various items. Surely, if display capacity is a problem, this could easily be solved by more frequent replenishment.
My visits to M&S will certainly be less frequent if this ridiculous change goes ahead!
Mark Rhind-Tutt
Having Gone In There Last Week, I Not Only Found Out It Is Closing On 28th February But Its Not Going To Be Used For Anything Other Than An Empty Space. This Is What I Was Told By Someone Working In The Cafe.
An Absolutely Disgraceful Decision By The Powers That Be As All They Care About Is Themselves And Not The Loyal Customers Who Have Kept The Place Going For Years.
Sandra Clarke
Such a shame – I certainly won’t be visiting there again after the cafe closes, a cup of coffee and cheese scone is my treat!
Lynne Pamment
I can only echo what every one is saying in these comments , very disappointed if the cafe disappears,
Linda
I have been a customer of Marks and Spencer for over 50 years and the decision to close the in store cafe in Stone is one of complete short-sightedness. As all the other comments stated before mine, it is not only a cafe but a meeting place for elderly residents and families alike. It is so convenient and accessible from the main thoroughfare. Whether you are in a wheelchair or have a pushchair it is easily accessed. Once again profit “rules”. WE WANT A CAFE, not more products!
Stone Resident
How short sighted is this decision!
– The elderly community living locally love to meet with Family and friends from their local community at this cafe before or after shopping.
– As do many locals and visitors to the town of stone
For those with disability and or restricted mobility it is a lifeline!
– The Canal boat owners and cruisers use it – for convenience and ease of accessibility to the cafe and food store, when visiting the area – and that brings much needed revenue to the businesses in the Town.
The cafes outdoor seating is a much welcomed facility during spring /summer months as has a very pleasant outlook overlooking the canal and newly refurbished garden.
Where was the consultation with Jo Public who are the people that generate the revenue at this store?
– Deeply disappointing!
Wrong decision – M&S management!
Fred
This is such a shame.The cafe is always popular with locals and visitors alike.M&S will lose goodwill and for just how much extra food business?
A mistake I feel but of course they won’t listen or be concerned about how their customer feels will they.
Fred
This is such a shame.The cafe is always popular with locals and visitors alike.M&S will lose goodwill and for just how much extra food business?
A mistake I feel but of course they won’t listen or be concerned about how their customer feels will they.
Jane
This is such a shame as the cafe has truly become a cafe at the heart of the community ,used by young and old alike.
Vanessa
This is the talk around Stone.
Do they know how many of us will boycott the store once they close the cafe? To them, we are a nothing on their millions or billions they make, but this is really going to hurt our community.
I always thought M&S cared.
They don’t.
That’s no more business from me, not food and not anything.
Paul
This is an outrage. Clearly M&S have no heart and don’t understand the role this cafe plays in Stone. It’s not ‘just’ a cafe, it’s a community hub. I am not shopping there any more after the cafe closes. I’m done.
Jenny
Very disappointing, always so popular, hard to get a table & most people I know would so much prefer a cafe to more products in stone