I am writing, alongside a number of my constituents, to express our concern and disappointment regarding the planned closure of the café within the M&S Foodhall on Leeds Road, Harrogate.

From my own experience, I recognise the importance of this valued third space, which has become a much-loved and well-used communal hub for local residents, and whose loss would represent a significant blow to the community.

For many, particularly older residents, the café plays a vital role beyond simply offering refreshments. A significant proportion of customers are in their 80s and 90s, and rely on the café as a place to rest during or after shopping trips. For those with limited mobility, the presence of a seating area is not a luxury, but an essential part of being able to access the store independently.

The café also serves as an important social hub. Local residents use it as a meeting point, helping to foster connection and reduce social isolation – something that is especially important for those living alone or with limited opportunities to travel further afield. It is also regularly used by families, including as a space to gather after school, further underlining its role at the heart of the community.

Accessibility is another key consideration. There are very limited alternative cafés in the area that are easily accessible for wheelchair users or those with mobility challenges. The suggestion that customers could instead visit the café at your Cambridge Street store in Harrogate does not fully reflect the realities faced by many in the Oatlands area, for whom travel into the town centre is simply not feasible.

We welcome M&S’s commitment to expanding the availability of fresh produce within the Foodhall. However, we would respectfully suggest that this should not come at the expense of a space that provides such clear social value and community benefit. The café also enhances the overall customer experience, encouraging longer and more frequent visits to the store.

There is also a practical concern that, should the café close, some customers may choose to visit alternative nearby cafés while continuing to use the M&S car park, which may not align with the intended outcomes of the proposed changes.

We would therefore kindly ask that you reconsider the proposed closure or explore whether there may be a way to retain café or seating provision that continues to meet the evident needs of the local community.

We would be grateful for your consideration of this matter and would welcome any opportunity to discuss it further.

Yours sincerely,