A CAMPAIGNING MP is pleading the case to keep Southend’s M&S store open as the retailer grapples with a £200million loss.

The High Street staple has announced plans to shut 30 M&S stores as clothing and homeware sales slumped by almost a third during the Covid lockdowns.

James Duddridge, Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, is now writing to M&S bosses seeking assurances over the future of the town’s store.

It comes just weeks after Debenham’s in the Royals closed down, leaving a gaping hole in the High Street.

Mr Duddridge said: “If Southend’s Marks and Spencer were to close it would be another big loss to our High Street.

“I have therefore written to the chief executive of M&S to seek reassurances that our store is not earmarked for closure. When I’ve spoken to them before it was a profitable, important part of their business. It would be good to check up on that.”

Business owners and residents say the closure of Southend’s M&S would have a devastating impact on the hard-pressed High Street.

Antony Tomassi, who owns Tomassi’s restaurant in the High Street, said: “I think it’s very important that M&S stays.

“They are the pillar of the High Street. People come to Southend to go there especially.

“It would be very serious for the town centre if we lost M&S. Debenhams had been in decline for a long time but if we lost M&S it would be huge.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the future for Southend. We have a lot to offer. It’s very important for our business. We need a healthy High Street.”

Eastwood resident, Verina Weaver said: “I totally agree that we need to keep M&S.

“If we lost the one on the High Street, the nearest one would be Chelmsford.

“We need to keep it on the High Street. M&S is something the older people have always had and they would really miss it if left.”

Southend Labour councillor Daniel Cowan said: “I think it’s fundamental to the future of the high street that we do maintain flagship retailers like M&S.

“It’s been a huge shame to lose Debenhams and we don’t want to run the risk of losing M&S so soon after. Now is a really exciting time for Southend and for businesses in Southend so I really hope that M&S share that vision with us.”

The retailer said it is targeting 30 more closures in the “next phase” of its plan. It has already closed or relocated 59 stores but said it is accelerating changes following the impact of the pandemic. The 30 planned closures will be part of a shake-up of around 110 stores, with the majority set for relocation.