Marks & Spencer's planned store closures could "devastate town centres", ministers have been warned as MPs celebrated the high street giant's influence.
SNP MP Lisa Cameron (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) said she recognised the market is changing but added retail companies need to "strike a balance" between remaining competitive and understanding the wider implications of closing "landmark" stores.
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Asking an urgent question in the Commons, Ms Cameron said: "Marks & Spencer's proposed store closures - 14 imminently, over 100 in the next few years - will not only result in thousands of potential job losses but could devastate our local town centres.
"It is well known when anchor stores close, the surrounding subsidiary stores feel the impact of reduced footfall and many close as well. Are our high streets to become ghost towns?"
Business minister Claire Perry began her response by telling MPs: "Who amongst us is not touched by the hand of M&S? In fact I counted up this morning, I'm wearing three items of M&S clothing - I will not declare what they are."
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Ms Perry said she believed all MPs are likely to have at least one item of clothing from "this fine retailer" before adding on M&S's plans: "It is a concerning time."
She said the plan had been well advertised and was designed to help the chain compete with online retailers.
Ms Perry added staff were being consulted about redeployment to other stores, telling MPs: "All of us should think it is a worrying time for the over 600 staff members who are currently going through that process.
"I know there will be concern on all sides of the House about this and the Government will of course standby with DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and Jobcentre Plus to work with the company should support be required."
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Speaker John Bercow noted: "I share the minister of state's enthusiasm for Marks & Spencer - it's a most admirable institution, and I think what she said about almost every member having item or more from Marks is incontrovertible."
In response to Ms Cameron's later questions, Ms Perry said the Government has taken forward "many plans" to support the high street before she acknowledged people's changing shopping habits as she added: "All of us I'm sure now buy many more of our unmentionable items online - or sometimes even in stores."
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