Fears are growing for the future of Weymouth's high street after Marks and Spencer announced it was quitting the town centre.

Weymouth town councillor Jon Orrell says he 'was right to be worried' about out of town retail parks tempting shops away from the town centre.

Marks and Spencer announced on Wednesday (28) that it has plans to close its St Mary Street shop and relocate to a bigger store at Weymouth Gateway Retail Park.

The announcement has led to concerns about what this will mean for Weymouth town centre, following the recent departures of Barclays bank and McDonald's from St Mary Street in 2023.

In recent years other businesses such as Argos, Debenhams and Iceland have all moved away from the town.

The proposed relocation of M&S -which will create 45 new jobs - has met mixed reactions, including being called both 'good and bad news' by the president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce.

Weymouth Town Councillor Jon Orrell said he was 'worried' about what the plans could mean for the town.

He said: "My personal view is that the town council planning committee turned down the retail park for this very reason.

"We wanted it to be industrial with genuine new jobs, as set out in the local plan. We were worried about the town centre. We were right to be worried."

The M&S store on St Mary Street will remain open until the day before the new store opens.

Paul Appleby, president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, said he had mixed emotions about the plans, but said there was a "tremendous opportunity" for new a business to move in.

He said: "This is good and bad news. I'm delighted they're opening a bigger store in Weymouth and employing 45 extra people to run it."

"All over the UK, larger retailers are moving out of town centres into retail parks on main roads with better parking.

"However unlike most other towns Weymouth town centre is special, it's so close to the beach and this particular building is even better placed in a prime position with a town-side and beach-side entrance.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for a new to the area larger business to open up and facilitate the tourist and year-round local trade.

"I think a popular restaurant chain will snap it up straight away."

Hope Suominen, Regional Manager for M&S, said the new store at Weymouth Gateway Retail Park would include 'stylish and spacious new clothing, home & beauty departments and a fresh market-style foodhall, with a range of new features including displays of great quality, trusted value produce from M&S Select Farms and a show-stopping new bakery offering fresh daily-baked breads and pastries.'