By James Vukmirovic

Copyright expressandstar

The store on Dudley Street in Wolverhampton had been part of the city’s architecture and shopping landscape for 96 years, but officially closed its doors for good just before 4pm on Saturday.

The department store was designated to close with the loss of an undisclosed number of job after the retailer announced the closure was being done as part of moves to update the business, despite the best efforts of shoppers and former staff to save the store, including a petition with more than 700 signatures.

On the final day as the end approached, people could be seen walking around the store to get hold of a final set of clothes, food and drink from the food hall, a coffee and cake in the cafe, or just to walk around and wish staff the best on their final day.

The atmosphere was mixed, with some people sombre as they saw the end of a store they’d grown up with disappearing, while others kept up high spirits and shared a laugh with friends as they looked at clothing or talked about their memories of the store.

Sisters Barbara Pugh from Tettenhall Wood and Danuta Prior from Wombourne had come together to see the store one last time and also had a final drink at the cafe.

For the 69-year-old Barbara and 75-year-old Danuta, it was a sad occasion for them as they could remember going to Marks & Spencer when they were children.

Barbara said: “We’ve come here ever since we were little with our mothers, buying clothes and food, and it is an absolutely fabulous shop and it is going to be such a shame for it to go from Wolverhampton.

“The staff have been marvellous and anything you wanted, they would look for you, and when British Home Stores went, that was a loss, but with Marks & Spencer going, Wolverhampton is gone.

“We just wanted to come here today to speak to the staff and say goodbye to them.”