A POPULAR store could be returning to Redditch after its closure five years ago.

Talks are being held to bring popular retail store, Marks and Spencer, back to the borough after its store in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre closed in 2018.

Earlier this year, M&S announced they are investing in new stores across the country.

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and Cllr Matt Dormer, leader of Redditch Borough Council held a meeting with M&S bosses earlier this month to make a case for the retailer to return to the town.

Rachel Maclean said: “Being proactive and encouraging investment in Redditch is how we’re going to unlock this town’s full potential. Just sitting there and waiting for it to happen doesn’t always work.

“The meeting with M&S was extremely encouraging and positive, and I hope we can welcome back M&S to our town.”

Redditch Advertiser: The former M&S store in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre.The former M&S store in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre. (Image: Unknown.)

Cllr Matt Dormer said: “We’re working hard to make Redditch a great place to live and raise a family, and a key part of that is attracting more investment into our town.

“I look forward to continuing conversations with M&S about returning to Redditch.”

After more than 40 years in the town, M&S decided to close its Redditch branch in April 2018 ‘to modernise its UK store estate’ amid a growth in online shopping.

All 66 employees at the branch were moved to other nearby stores.

There were even calls for at least an M&S Food Hall to remain, but these fell on deaf ears with the company.

In 2021, Next relocated to the M&S site and upmarket grocery store, Simply Fresh replaced the Food Hall, however, the food market closed just three months after it opened.

Since the closure of the branch in Redditch, customers have been forced to travel more than six miles away to Longbridge to get their M&S fix.