POLITICIANS have failed in their last-ditch bid to stop Marks & Spencer closing its Birkenhead store.

The retail giant confirmed on January 31 that it plans to close its town centre store as part of a restructuring programme. 

The branch, in Grange Precinct, will shut its doors for good in April.

In a meeting with council Leader Phil Davies and Birkenhead MP Frank Field today, the retailer said the decision to close the store was due to changes in retail habits, notably an increase in online shopping.

Mr Field and Cllr Davies were assured the overwhelming majority of Birkenhead store 92 employees would be relocated to other Marks & Spencer stores in the area.

They also shared the emerging proposals for the redevelopment of Birkenhead Town Centre.

Cllr Davies said: "This is disappointing news and we urged Marks & Spencer not to walk away from Birkenhead. 

"We updated them on our plans for the future of the town’s shopping centre and they asked that as our plans develop we keep them informed.

"In Rugby, Grantham and Scunthorpe, Marks & Spencer told us they initially left but then returned when they saw the way these town centres transformed their retail and leisure offers."

Mr Field said: "The retailer made clear today that its mind was made up some time ago.

"We must now turn our attention to the new plans for redeveloping and regenerating Birkenhead town centre.

"Today's shopping habits, as well as retail as a whole, are changing fast.

"An important next move for Birkenhead, if we are successfully to encourage the likes of Marks & Spencer to set up and maintain their presence in the town, is for the ambitious plans Phil laid out in the meeting – to transform Birkenhead Market along similar lines to the success of Altrincham, Manchester and London’s Borough Market; improve bus and train connections, introduce new leisure attractions and reconfigure a brighter and more accessible high street – to be delivered.

"This will give retailers and shoppers alike greater confidence in the town centre and will keep the door open for Marks & Spencer to return, just as they have elsewhere after similar plans have been delivered."

Craig Baldock, M&S Head of Region for Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales, said last month: "The decision to close our store in Birkenhead town centre was a difficult, but necessary one. 

"We have a great team at the store; all of them are staying with M&S and are committed to offering our customers the very best of M&S in the area." 

Wirral Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve Cllr Davies' recommendation to select Muse Developments as their preferred regeneration partner at a special meeting next Wednesday.