Harrogate’s central Marks and Spencer store is facing complaints from residents and traders about its non-essential sales.
The store has closed off a large section of the store and the upper floor. But it still has some clothing, beauty and homeware on sale.
Parts of the menswear section is now on the Cambridge Street floor, which has traditionally been solely for womenswear.
The store only has parts of the store open which customers need to use to get down to the food section on the lower floor.
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This has been a national debate during the three lockdowns. Supermarkets can sell non-essential goods alongside food.
Welsh supermarkets came under scrutiny after some sectioned off parts they deemed non-essential, including women’s sanitary products.
Some residents and sole-traders believe it is unfair for any stores to sell non-essential goods while small independent stores cannot – especially a store in the town centre.
Local David Andrews wrote a letter to the chief executive of M&S and shared the letter with the Stray Ferret. He said:
“I believe this [is] contrary to the guidelines and has given [M&S] an unfair advantage over competitors.
“It was permitted to open because of the food hall on the lower ground floor, served by its primary access from Oxford Street.
“Why does M&S need to open the Cambridge Street entrance at all when the Oxford Street entrance accesses the food hall directly?
“One might say it wants to continue trading in clothes and this loophole about secondary access allows them to do so.”
A sole trader based in Harrogate, who wanted to remain anonymous, also told the Stray Ferret:
“Somebody must be able to as this is so unfair. I am sole trader and this inconsistency is driving me mad.
“Why can you not get them to follow the guidance which suits this store to a tee as it’s actually states non-essential floors should be closed.
“What’s the point of having guidance if it can’t be used. I’m sure it was written for a reason.”
M&S disputes any allegations that it is not following the rules. A spokesperson said in response:
“Our M&S Foodhalls remain open to provide our customers with the essential items they require during this time.
“In line with Government guidelines, we’ve closed our non-food floors except where they provide access to our Foodhalls.”
