THE future occupier of the Marks and Spencers remains a mystery as the store gets set to close next weekend.

M&S will shut its doors for the last time on 21 April, while questions remain over what will replace the department store’s presence in the town centre.

The registered owner of the site is a real estate business named CF Sparks Andover Limited, based in Mayfair, London.

The business, which bought the unit in 2016 for more than £2.5 million, was unable to be reached for comment over plans for the site.

Meanwhile, M&S has put up a gazebo inside the store informing customers of its other stores where they can continue to shop.

Councillor Iris Andersen said: “How can we get to their other Marks & Spencers?

“A lot of people don’t drive so it doesn’t just take 25 minutes to get to Basingstoke, Salisbury or Winchester. It’s an hour by bus to get there and an hour by bus to come back home. I feel that we don’t want to be driving people out of Andover.”

Test Valley Borough Council leader Phil North said conversations are continuing with M&S about maintaining a presence in the town.

Aaron Spicer, M&S head of region for Wessex, said: “The decision to close the store was a difficult but necessary one. We’d like to thank our customers for the feedback they’ve given the team and we hope to see lots of them continuing to shop at our other stores”