Staines, Sunbury and Weybridge M&S stores to survive cull

Staff at the M&S in The Peacocks shopping centre in Woking were not as lucky - all 35 of them will lose their jobs if the shop if the proposed closure as part of the retail giant's cost-cutting exercise.

The announcement sparked fears the branches in Staines High Street, Barnes Wallis Avenue, Brooklands, and at Sunbury Cross might be under threat but it was later revealed they would all stay open for now.

Sue Davies, of Kingston Road, Staines, has two friends who work at the Staines store. She said: "When I read the news in the paper on Tuesday I sent a text to my friend immediately because I was worried about her. I guess she's pretty relieved to still be in a job but there seems to be bad news every day at the moment."

The M&S shops in BP service stations in Staines Road West, Staines Road East and Egham Hill will all remain open, as will the branch in Woking train station but the main store in The Peacocks shopping centre in the town has been earmarked for closure.

Chairman of M&S, Stuart Rose, said: "We believe that we have looked at every available option and opportunity to keep the Woking store open, but in this tough trading environment it is no longer commercially viable.

"We have a great team here and I would like to thank them for their commitment to the store and for their hard work delivering excellent service to our customers."

A closing date has not been set but will be announced following consultation with staff.