MARKS and Spencer has confirmed that the Bridgwater M&S Foodhall is not set to close any time soon.

The company has said it is seeking to speed up a major shake-up of its stores estate which will result in the closure of 67 larger shops.

However, it told the Bridgwater Mercury these plans are very long-term.

"We haven’t made any new announcements about store closures."

They said that includes the Bridgwater store.

"The information that was reshared about our stores is just about our existing long-term plan to rotate our store estate."

The M&S Foodhall in Bridgwater opened in 2018 and could be deemed safe at this stage due to the company's plan to replace stores across the country with more Simply Food outlets.

As part of the retailer’s plans for the future, the number of clothes and homeware stores would be reduced down from 247 currently to around 180 shops by 2028.

Closures will target “lower productivity” outlets, although the aim is for the store closures to ideally be completed in the next three years.

M&S will instead replace the stores by adding over 100 of its Simply Food outlets across the country. The brand will add the shops as it moves towards its grocery and food stores.

The company cited the need to deal with the “difficult economic backdrop” as the reason for the change in strategy, with many businesses facing troubles due to the cost of living crisis.

Marks and Spencer has also recently committed to a pay rise for over 40,000 staff members.

The move, which affects staff on the lowest wages, will see some workers paid at least £10.20 an hour from October having previously been upped to £10 in April.