Marks & Spencer is closing two distribution centres in the UK Midlands, putting nearly 700 jobs on the line.

In a bid to save money and improve clothing stock availability, the department store chain is revamping its warehouse network.

Warehouses in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, and Thorncliffe, Sheffield, will close next year. The former is run by logistics firm DHL and the latter is managed by XPO. They employ 662 staff combined.

An M&S spokesperson said: “We’re in the early stages of changing our supply chain to address flow of product and availability for our customers.

“As part of this, we will no longer be serving our stores from our Thorncliffe and Long Eaton distribution centres.

“Moving the operations is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is an important change to help us best serve our customers as we move to a nationally connected network.

“Our logistics partners will be working closely with the colleagues at the sites on what is best for them.”

These closures add to the four warehouses previously shut and means from next year the M&S clothing business will have just six warehouses to serve the whole country.

By Leanne Carr