Every single staff member at Marks and Spencer in Deal will be offered a job at another store.

That is the latest from a representative of the huge retailer which announced its planned departure from Deal High Street last Tuesday.

Almost 5,000 outraged residents have since added their names to a petition with Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke and Dover District Council leader Keith Morris relaying concerns to Tony Ginty, M&S’ head of public affairs, in a meeting in Parliament on Wednesday.

They pointed out how successful Deal High Street has been, recently being crowned Britain’s best and urged the firm to reconsider its proposals.

Mr Ginty told them M&S is still consulting with workers over the proposals but assured them all 45 staff will be offered redeployment at other stores.

Mr Elphicke, who also wrote to chief executive Steve Rowe last week, said: “I was pleased to be able to organise this meeting with M&S to stress the outcry in Deal over plans to close the store.

“M&S have been left in no doubt how deeply opposed we and the people of Deal are to these proposals.

“It’s welcome they understand that there is huge demand in town for M&S – particularly M&S food.

“We are urging M&S to explore all options to keep a presence in Deal in the future."

Since the news broke on Tuesday, January 15, both Mr Elphicke and Cllr Morris say they have received the dozens of emails, letters and phone calls.

They also asked the company to explore all possible options for having a presence in Deal in the future.

Mr Ginty said the Deal store was one of 100 across the country M&S intend to close.

M&S are moving towards a model of having Simply Food stores, away from high streets and town centres.

He said the Deal store could not viably be converted into a Simply Food store – though he accepted there is huge demand in the town for M&S to stay.

Cllr Morris said: “We as a council will do everything we can to support every retailer in Deal High Street.

“I made it clear to M&S that if they want to explore options for having a presence in Deal in the future, we will do everything we can to support them."