The café, inside the retailer’s store at Middlebrook Retail Park, will shut its doors for the final time on Sunday, April 19, as part of plans to expand and redevelop the site.
The closure will also mark the end of the last M&S café in the Bolton borough, following the earlier closure of the retailer’s store and as a result its café at Deansgate in April 2023.
While Marks & Spencer’s says the investment will bring an expected 108 jobs and improvements, many regulars say the loss of the café will be deeply felt particularly among older customers.
And some were shocked to hear it was closing.
Margaret Wilson, 82, from Horwich, said the café had become a key part of her weekly routine.
She said: “I come every Friday without fail.
“I do my shopping, then I sit down for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
“It might sound small, but it means a lot. It’s something to look forward to. I don’t know where I’ll go now.”
David Turner, 67, who visits the store with his wife, said the café offered more than just food and drink.
He said: “It’s one of the few places around here where you can sit comfortably without feeling rushed.
“You see some familiar faces, you have a chat, it’s a real community spot.
“Losing it feels like losing a little hub.”
Emma Clarke, 41, from Bolton, said the café was especially valuable for families.
She said: “When you’ve been walking around shopping with kids, it’s somewhere to stop and reset.”
Another customer, who asked not to be named, said the closure felt like a step backwards for the area.
They said: “It’s very sad, heart-breaking.
“There’s nowhere else nearby that offers the same kind of atmosphere.
“I feel for the older people especially, this isn’t just about coffee, it’s about having somewhere to go.”
The closure will mean no more M&S cafes in the Bolton borough (Image: NQ)
Marks & Spencer said the closure forms part of a £50m investment across the North West and a wider transformation of the store.
A spokesperson said: “As part of our £50m investment across the North West, we are expanding and transforming our Bolton Middlebrook store.
“Work is now underway and, as part of this, the café will be closing on Sunday, April 19.”
The redevelopment will see the store extend into a neighbouring vacant unit previously occupied by Boots.
Customers wishing to visit an Marks and Spencer café are being directed to nearby stores in Walkden, the Trafford Centre, Manchester and Preston.