AN M&S food hall will close for good this week after being open for just six months. 

The M&S food store at Crown Mead in Wimborne will close its doors on April 26 after opening in October 2023. 

Franchised by Jersey company, Sandpiper CI, the store opened last autumn to a fanfare with the town mayor, Cllr Diann March, with town crier, Christopher Brown, giving a speech on the much-anticipated new shop.

A spokesperson for Sandpiper Stores said: “We are disappointed to be closing the store on the 26th April.

"We know this will be sad news for some of our customers and we’d like to thank them, and the local community, for supporting and shopping with us.

"We are continuing discussions with our colleagues about what this decision means for them.”

The store opened to a large crowd on October 12 with pupils of St John's CE VC First School attending along with Percy Pig himself.

Residents expressed much sadness the store will close. 

Wimborne resident, Robert Reynolds, 87, said: "I come here every day, I know it's a very small shop but I'd be sad if it goes. 

"My wife was a manager at M&S until she retired so I've always shopped at it."