Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to close its store in Blackburn town centre, England, potentially within weeks, as it faces delays in opening a new £10 million Food Hall at Frontier Park in Hyndburn borough. The closure is influenced by objections from Tesco and Blackburn with Darwen Council regarding the relocation. Zeba Khan, M&S's regional manager, stated that the decision is part of a broader strategy to reshape the company's store offerings in response to changing shopping habits. Khan emphasized that the current Blackburn store does not have a sustainable future. Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, expressed disappointment over the loss of a long-standing anchor store in the town centre and voiced concern for the employees affected by the closure. M&S is committed to supporting its staff by offering alternative roles where possible.