KEIGHLEY'S Marks and Spencer store has been proposed for closure and consultations have begun with its 33 staff.

The business, which has been in Keighley for over 100 years, announced the news this morning with bosses saying the proposals for their branch in the Airedale Shopping Centre were "difficult but necessary".

Including Keighley, M&S has proposed eight stores for closure nationally and announced a further six will close by the end of April.

Sacha Berendji, director of retail at M&S, said: "We don’t want any colleagues to leave M&S, and we'll work with each colleague individually on what's best for them as we endeavour to give everyone a role.

"However, we accept in some cases we may have to consider redundancy.

“We believe these changes are vital for the future of M&S and we'll continue to accelerate the programme, taking tough but necessary decisions, as we focus on making M&S special.”

Andrew Crooks, head of region for Yorkshire, said: “Proposing to close the Keighley store has been difficult but necessary.

"We’ll be talking to each colleague individually about what's right for them and we’ll update customers and the community as soon as we can.”

Steve Seymour, manager of the Airedale Centre, said: "Our thoughts are with the staff employed in the shop.

"If it does close we'll work with M&S and their staff to try and relocate employees to positions that might be available elsewhere in the shopping centre."

M&S has said its proposed closures are part of its programme to modernise its UK store estate, "to better meet the changing needs of customers".

Responding to news of the threatened closure, Keighley Central Ward councillor Khadim Hussain said it had come as a big shock.

"It's one of the most longstanding big names in Keighley, and it has been part and parcel of the town for so long," he said. "It would be really sad to lose the store.

"We're trying to regenerate Keighley, but this does not send out a good signal.

"We're one of the biggest towns within Bradford district and have huge potential. So I'd urge Bradford Council's leaders to meet with M&S's managers, ask them what support the council can provide and convince them that remaining in Keighley would be beneficial for them."

Paul Howard, manager of Keighley Business Improvement District (BID), said: “Clearly the loss of M&S would be a huge blow, and I'd call on the management from the retailer to work closely with other parties to see how they can remain as a fixture in our town centre.

"Keighley and M&S have had a long and successful history together and as far as I am aware, as a town centre store it trades well in a prime position.

"Our thoughts are with the staff at the store and we certainly hope they find suitable employment within another store or nearby."

Shopworkers' trade union Usdaw has called on Marks and Spencer to open up a dialogue with the union to ensure staff are properly represented.

Commenting on M&S's national plans, David Gill, Usdaw national officer, said: "We again urge M&S management to abandon their long-held resistance to recognising Usdaw as the union to represent its staff.

"Given the opportunity we'd ensure all avenues to save jobs are explored and staff are treated with dignity, fairness and respect."

Responding to the union, an M&S spokesman said: "Our colleagues are represented by the Business Involvement Group, our network of elected, employee representatives from across every store and business unit.

"Every colleague is free to join a trade union of course, but we don't have a recognised trade union at M&S in the UK."

M&S celebrated 100 years of trading in Keighley in 2013. The business has had a presence in Low Street since 1913.