A petition to bring a Marks & Spencer store in place of Wilko's has been launched by a Kingston Independent Residents Group (KIRG) councillor. 

Following the news of New Malden's Wilko store closing on 14 September, Cllr Yvonne Tracey (Green Lane and St James Ward) as called for a new shop to strengthen the high street.

In a video uploaded to X (formerly Twitter), Cllr Tracey said: "We've lost Tudor Williams, we've lost Iceland and now we'll be losing Wilko." 

Cllr Yvonne Tracey annouced the petition on social media yesterday. (Photo: Yvonne Tracey X)

Although Wilko is not predominantly a grocery store, Cllr Tracey called for more variety on the high street.

She said: "We have hardly any choice anymore for food shopping. Just probably Waitrose and a small Lidl." 

New Malden High Street also features a Tesco Express and a New Malden Food Centre. 

Cllr Tracey added: "I've lived in New Malden all my life and lots of people have said to me that they would love to see an M&S, and so would I."

Cllr James Giles, also of KIRG Green Lane and St James', reportedly emailed M&S last month "urging" for a store to be opened in M&S high street.  

By April 2024, M&S is planning to have opened 20 new branches. 

Ending the video Cllr Tracey appealed to residents to sign her petition, adding she M&S would be an "asset" to New Malden High Street.