Marks and Spencer has announced the Newark Stodman Street store will close on Saturday, April 27

Marks and Spencer has revealed the closing date of its Newark town centre store. Its final day of trading will be Saturday, April 27.

A spokesman said proposing the closure of had been a difficult decision.

They said: “Over the past few weeks we have been consulting with our colleagues and, following this rigorous process, the decision has been made to close our store on Saturday, April 27.

“We would like to thank our customers, the local community and their representatives for the feedback they’ve given.”

The Stodman Street store is one of Newark’s biggest retail outlets and will be close before the chain opens its proposed new foodhall on the outskirts of the town.

The closure is part of a national programme, which will see the loss of 100 stores, aimed at addressing sales, performance and profitability.

The retailers had initially said it would be relocating to The Maltings development, off Northgate, where it would have been the anchor of the scheme.

That new store would have offered the full M&S range ­— clothing, home and food ­— but M&S then ditched those plans in favour of just a foodhall and click-and-collect internet purchasing.

M&S confirmed last month it had started consulting with the 41 staff members at the Newark shop, over its closure plans.

A spokesman said when similar closures had taken place, 80% of staff had stayed with the business and had accepted roles elsewhere.