H&M is to close its Oldham town centre store, the retailer has announced.
The Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre branch will shut its doors for the final time on February 6.
It comes after the Swedish clothes retailer announced in 2020 it would be closing 250 stores across the world, as covid drove sales online.
A H&M spokesperson said: "H&M Spindles Shopping Centre in Oldham will close on February 6.
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"At H&M we continuously review our store portfolio, the decision to close this particular store was part of the long-term strategy to ensure we are offering our customers the best possible shopping experience in the right locations."
The move will come as a blow to plans to improve Oldham town centre.
In 2020 Oldham council bought Spindles shopping centre for an undisclosed amount as part of its £306m ‘Creating a Better Place’ strategy to regenerate the borough.
Under the proposals council offices and Tommyfield Market will be moved into the shopping centre
Speaking at the time then council leader Sean Fielding said: "It’s a one off purchase today, but in terms of the amount of money it will save the council on an ongoing basis it will run into the tens of millions of pounds, far in excess of what we paid for it."
Oldham council said it was supporting H&M staff affected by the closure.
A council spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, H&M confirmed publicly in 2020 that it would be closing 250 stores.
"We understand this decision will impact on a number of its town centre stores like Oldham, as their business model focuses on larger commercial stores, city centres and online sales.
"H&M had served notice to close the Oldham store before Oldham Council purchased Spindles.
"We have been working closely with them since acquiring the centre to retain the store in Oldham for as long as possible.
"Although we have been successful in keeping H&M for an extended period, they will sadly be vacating Spindles in February.
"Our Get Oldham Working team is supporting H&M employees whose jobs will be affected by this news.
"Once vacant, the space will be incorporated within the redevelopment proposals for Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre."
