Marks & Spencer could close a major branch on the Essex coast after it was deemed not to have a "sustainable future". The UK retailer confirmed it had put the M&S foodhall in Walton-on-the-Naze up for closure as part of a "tough" portfolio-cutting move this week. The seaside branch has supplied locals with groceries, ready meals and premium M&S stock since 2018.

Will Holden, regional manager of the nationwide chain, told EssexLive: "Our UK-wide store rotation programme is about making sure every store we have delivers the best of M&S for customers. That means opening new stores, investing in others but also sadly closing those stores which do not have a sustainable future. After careful consideration, we have made the tough decision to propose the closure of our Walton Foodhall."

Mr Holden added: I'd like to thank all of our customers who have shopped with us at the store, and our priority is now continuing conversations with our colleagues about what these proposals mean for them."

He said customers on the Tendring peninsula would still be able to shop M&S at their nearest store in Clacton Brook Park.

While a date has not been confirmed for the prospective closure, the news follows M&S' announcement of 14 in-store cafe closures as part of a strategy to "provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience."

The change will impact 13 cafes in England and one in Scotland, including branches in Crawley, Whitstable, Canterbury and Hull.

The retailer was left scrambling to absorb costs last year after a cyber attack disrupted availability and forced stock clearances, but forecasts in March 2026 suggest it has largely recovered from the shock.

Broker Shore Capital's profit forecast for the year ending in March reflected the disruption, at £655 million, down from £876 million the previous year.

It projected a return to growth over the coming 12 months, however, with a profit forecast of £960 million, taking the retailer's earnings per share to 33.9p.