RETAIL giant Marks and Spencer has given a closing East Lancashire branch a 'stay of execution' in order to move staff to its Rawtenstall shop.

Bosses at the retail giant announced late last year it was to quit Accrington's high street in the spring after over 50 years to the dismay of local business leaders, residents, and politicians.

But it has now been announced the store will not close its shutters for a final time until the end of summer prompting fresh hope management could still change their mind completely.

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An M&S spokeswoman said: "The M&S Accrington store will be closing in late summer to coincide with the opening of the new Foodhall at Rawtenstall, which will offer a much bigger M&S food offer, including free parking.

"It remains our intention to close the Accrington store.”

Accrington businessman and the Conservative candidate for Hyndburn in next month's general election, Kevin Horkin, said: "The store was due to close in Accrington this month but it has been put right back to the end of September.

"This is good news. It's a stay of execution and maybe we could try and persuade them to stay."

The 'devastating blow' dealt in December was not softened by M&S executives decided to open up shop in Rawtenstall — a town they said offers a 'better shopping experience' for customers.

All 28 members of staff in Accrington were to be offered jobs at the new Rawtenstall branch or other nearby stores, the company said.

Mr Horkin, also a former Ribble Valley mayor added: "A further six months delay is quite a long period and, when they released this news to the media in December, everything looked like it was very much planned and thought out.

"But to put it right back to September means there maybe a chance of facilitating some kind of meeting, if only to find out why after 53 years a large company like that wants to pull out of Accrington and set up shop in Rawtenstall."

Miles Parkinson, the borough's Labour council leader, said: "This is good news but what we want really is for Marks and Spencer to keep the store open.

"I hope they recognise the people of Accrington and the outer towns want them to stay."