LAST UPDATE | 13 Feb

MARKS AND SPENCER is to close one food and clothes store in Drogheda, Co Louth, cutting 57 jobs in the process, as well as one separate grocery store in Clarion Quay, Dublin.

The move to close the Drogheda store has been described as a “major blow” for the town, by local Labour TD Ged Nash, as it’s a large employer and the only M&S store in the area.

M&S has cited a drop in footfall in the stores as well as a changing landscape in the retail market as the reason why they have moved to close the stores. Employees were notified of the decision today.

The Labour party’s enterprise spokesperson said it’s “devastating news” for workers and shoppers and said it’s important the company engages with staff and unions during the statutory redundancy consultation process.

Nash said: “Agreed packages must adequately reflect the hard work and dedication of staff, many of whom have worked there since the store opened two decades ago and where appropriate, staff should be given the option to relocate within the company.”

It is the only M&S store in the region, which Nash says no doubt attracted shoppers to the “vibrant and dynamic” town.

He added: “The company’s statement however makes it clear that there are commercial factors unique to the site that appears to have informed the decision made by M&S to shutter their Drogheda store.”

Workers at the M&S Foodhall at Clarion Quay in Dublin were told today that their store will also close.

Eddie Murphy, director of M&S Ireland and Northern Ireland said both stores has been “underperforming” and that the Dublin store had suffered from a lack of footfall in recent years.

He added that the retail group understand there will be disappointment with the announcement, but believe the decision is “the right one for the future of M&S in Ireland”.

Both of the stores’ employees have alerted unions Siptu and Mandate.

With reporting by Jane Matthews and Muiris O’Cearbhaill