Retail giant Marks & Spencer has announced its Accrington store is to close.

The shop on Broadway, which has been in the town for 53 years, will be closing in May.

The store’s 28 staff will be offered roles at the new M&S Simply Food which is set to open at New Hall Hey Retail Park in Rawtenstall, and at other existing stores.

The decision to close Accrington’s historic flagship store has been met with sadness in the town.

James Saron, vice president of Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, said: “It is a significant blow to the town and to the Arndale Centre and to the staff that may lose their jobs.

"Relocating to another town may soften the blow for some staff but it will still leave a massive void in Accrington.

“It is disappointing that they have chosen to leave when Accrington is on the verge of some significant investment with the new bus station and the planned work on Blackburn Road.

“The pressure will now be upon the Arndale owners to find a new tenant for the considerable unit that they will be vacating and it will be even more important for Hyndburn council to work with the Arndale owners to bring new retailers to the town.”

Coun Clare Cleary, chair of the Accrington Town Team, said: “This has come as a real surprise to me. It’s a flagship store in the town and a good employer. “It’s a blow to the staff just after Christmas. I know people who work there, it’s very disappointing but we’re not going to give up and lie back and let it happen.

“We’re going to be speaking to the store and see if we can get them to stay.”

Leader of Hyndburn Council Miles Parkinson said: “It’s extremely disappointing.

“It’s hard when we see stores like M&S who have had difficulties but we always thought that the store in Accrington was performing well and it served the people of Hyndburn. It’s a concern but we’re all aware of how shopping has changed.”

Conservative councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “It’s absolute crisis time for Accrington. “For years we have tried to keep M&S in the town. We pedestrianised Broadway, and put Christmas lights in the town centre.

“I will be calling on the council to get our heads together and discuss the situation.”

An M&S spokesman said: “We have given the closure of our Accrington store a great deal of consideration and it is not a decision that we have taken lightly.

“The new store in Rawtenstall will offer a much bigger M&S food offer and an improved shopping experience and free parking.

“Most of all, we want to ensure we are in the best location to serve our customers, and one which is fit for the future of M&S. We believe we have found this in Rawtenstall.”

The Arndale were unavailable for comment.