THE council is pushing for a U-turn from Marks and Spencer on plans to shut their Golden Square branch in June.

The company announced today that the store was marked for closure but said none of the 95 staff will lose their jobs.

But Warrington Borough Council leader, Cllr Terry O’Neill, said Marks and Spencer have made the 'wrong decision' to shut at a time when the town centre is set for a 'renaissance'.

He said: “It is really important that we impress upon the decision makers our ambitious plans for Warrington, which are progressing at a rapid pace.

"We are investing over £100m in the retail heart of our town and taking steps to repopulate our town centre, as part of our new city plans.

"This work will create a vibrant, welcoming, diverse and friendly town centre, for generations to come.

"Marks and Spencer should be part of that and that’s why we believe their decision to close, at the start of this renaissance, is the wrong one."

He added that there are question marks over the planning documents for Marks and Spencer's branch at the Gemini Retail Park and whether keeping the town centre shop was one of the conditions added to the application.

Cllr O'Neill said: “We will also be checking the planning documents in relation to the Marks and Spencer store at Gemini Retail Park and any conditions which were attached to that regarding the town centre store.

“It is regrettable that one of the key establishments in our retail sector is taking this decision.

"We are very disappointed in the decision and we will be seeking urgent discussions with the Marks and Spencer management, to see if all or part of the store can be retained for the benefit of Warrington people."