The outlet has only been open in the Park View shopping centre for less than five years.

But Wednesday morning the company announced it was one of 27 to close across the country, with around 1,200 jobs to go in total.

Meanwhile another main outlet in Whitley Bay town centre, T&G Allan in Whitley Road, announced this week the closure of its outlet.

The two stores will contribute to a growing list of empty shops in Whitley Bay following the closure of Woolworths, the Co-op and several independent shops.

T&G Allan said it was closing the stationery store in February having suffered a "notable decrease in business" over the last few years.

Closure of T&G Allan will result in the loss of 13 full and part-time jobs.

The store will continue to operate its normal opening hours until the closure and is starting a full closing down sale.

The Marks & Spencer food outlet, one of the big names which attracted other retailers to the shopping centre when first built, said the store was "underperforming".

In a statement to the Stock Exchange, M&S chairman Sir Stuart Rose said: "We have reviewed our store portfolio and, subject to consultation with staff, are proposing to close 27 stores.

"Twenty-five of these are small underperforming Simply Food stores and two are small main chain stores."