M&CO stores in Hunstanton and Fakenham close - but High Street business subject to planning application from Whymark & Moulton

Two West Norfolk retail stores are set to close - with plans already lodged to replace one of them.

After going into administration last year, Scottish fashion brand M&Co has announced that all of its UK premises will be closing down.

That decision will affect stores on Miller’s Walk in Fakenham and High Street in Hunstanton.

And a planning application has already been launched to make use of the space vacated by the latter.

Whymark & Moulton, a chartered surveyors and building engineers company, has applied to divide the existing Hunstanton store into two retail units.

The move has been backed by Hunstanton Town Council, which penned a letter to West Norfolk Council’s planning committee to voice its support.

Cllr Paul Kidd said: “The reasons for our support, are that we as a town council feel that the plans submitted for this application fall in line with this council’s visions for the development and the town’s longer-term enhancement which meets with the Hunstanton Neighbourhood Development Plan.”

The collapse of M&Co was the company’s second in two years, and will result in 170 shutting down for good.

Around 1,900 jobs are expected to be affected across the country.

The Hunstanton store announced a closing down sale back in December in anticipation of the announcement.