M&S reveals next 17 stores in firing line for closure as hundreds of jobs face the chop

Marks & Spencer revealed the identity of the latest stores that are earmarked for closure today, as a swathe of sites face the firing line amid a downturn for the beleaguered retailer.

As many as 1,000 people could face losing their jobs as part of the latest stage in the company's turnaround plan that will dramatically reduce the size its portfolio.

M&S said in May that it planned to close 100 stores by 2022.

The news comes a week after the retailer posted a 2.2 per cent fall in sales over the crucial Christmas trading period.

In July M&S chairman Archie Norman admitted that the firm had "no god-given right to exist" after saying that the size of the firm’s estate had become "a drag on its performance".

Read more: Marks & Spencer blames weak consumer confidence for drop in Christmas sales

Sacha Berendji, retail, operations and property director at Marks & Spencer, said: "We’re continuing to transform M&S with pace and as part of this we are making good progress with our plans to close over 100 stores – radically reshaping our store estate to become more relevant for our customers. Proposing to close stores is never easy, for our colleagues, customers or the local community, but it is vital for the future of M&S."