MARKS & Spencer is remaining tight-lipped about the future of its Hexham store after a closure announcement last month.

After announcing that the company highlighted its Hexham site as a 'possible closure' in March, a month later, the company still 'have no update' about what the next steps are concerning the store on Maiden's Walk.

M&S backed its decision about the site and at the time said it was made due to 'shopping habits changing' which has led it to rotate its stores estate to make sure its has the 'right stores' with the 'right space' to offer customers a 'brilliant shopping experience'.

READ MORE: Hexham resident sets up petition to save M&S in Hexham

Philip Barker-Thomson, M&S regional manager, said: “Our priority now is to talk to our colleagues about what this announcement means for them. Should the proposals go ahead, we will offer them alternative roles with M&S wherever possible.

"Over the last year alone, we have invested £13 million in our stores in the North East, including a full renewal of our store in Newcastle city centre and the upcoming opening of our new Washington Galleries store later this spring.

“We would like to thank all our customers who have shopped in the store, and we will be working hard to keep serving them in our other stores across the North East and online at marksandspencer.com."

As resident's wait anxiously for the news of what happens next, hope continues to grow that 'people power' will be enough to stop the closure after a petition was created by Simon Kitchen which has reached 2,519 signatures.