MARKS & Spencer has announced the closure of 60 stores nationally over the next five years - but the future for Kidderminster's branch still remains unclear.

A spokeswoman for the store said it would not be making a specific announcement about the stores but 30 stores would close nationally. A further 30 would be turned into Simply Food stores.

She added that the changes were going to take place over five years.

In a statement released this morning, (November 8), Steve Rowe, M&S CEO, said: "We have now completed a forensic review of our estate both in the UK and in our International markets.  

"Over the next five years we will transform our UK estate with 60 fewer clothing and home stores, whilst continuing to increase the number of our Simply Food stores. 

“These are tough decisions, but vital to building a future M&S."

It is not yet known what will happen to the branch at Kidderminster's Weavers Wharf retail park.

Shuttle readers took to Facebook to express their disappointment at the uncertain future of the Kidderminster store.

Valerie Bradley said: "We would be devastated if Marks and Spencer were to close their Kidderminster branch.

"I have been a loyal customer of Marks for over 60 years and although their clothing ranges recently have left a lot to be desire, the quality of their food is second to none; it is competitvely priced and most weeks I buy more of my weekly food shopping there than in any other supermarket. 

"We are also regular customers of the cafe and drop in almost every time we are in town for a coffee etc. If Marks goes there is no incentive for us to go into Kidderminster Town Centre at all."

Lydia Pearson said: "Kidderminster needs to keep hold of its anchor stores if they wish to the town centre to survive.

"The council need to use this news story as a warning sign and investigate ways to attract new investors into the town to avoid economic disaster and potential lack of employment in the future. Believe in Kidderminster!"

Michelle Simonds said: "Ghost town comes to mind boarded up shops, charity shops - Kidderminster town has died."

Anne Dyke said: "It would be a sad loss to the town.

"I for one use it every time I go to Kidderminster, love the food hall and clothes plus best school uniform on the high street."

Chris Millyard added: "No wonder internet shopping is winning, if they close M&S or any other stores we'll be reduced to online shopping, especially those who don't have cars."

The store closures would be the latest major shake-up by the new chief executive, after he axed 525 jobs at the retailer's head office in a bid to cut costs in August.

Marks & Spencer's better-performing food division is forecast to see growth flat line with Helal Miah, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, flagging that Christmas sales will be pivotal.

"Investors should appreciate that although impacted by price deflation, food sales are being helped by the launch of new food lines and the opening of more of the 'Simply Food' convenience stores, so the company will be pulling out all the stops to entice people in to buy their festive spread," he said.

However, Mr Miah cautioned that the spectre of Brexit could emerge as a major cause of uncertainty and lead to lower economic growth, ultimately impacting consumer spending.

In July, Mr Rowe said that consumer confidence had weakened in the run-up to the EU referendum, adding: "While it is too early to quantify the implications of Brexit, we are confident that our strategic priorities and the actions we are taking remain the right ones."

He added shopper confidence remains "fragile" after the Brexit decision, warning that Marks & Spencer is "operating in uncertain times".