TIRED stores and a lack of direction are to blame for Marks & Spencer's massive fall in profits over the past few years, according to a former manager at the Swindon branch.

This came after the high street giant today revealed a 19 per cent fall in annual profits.

But a former manager of the Swindon branch, Barry Lingard, who is now chief executive of the Swindon Initiative, believes that with recent changes there could be a reversal of fortunes.

M&S said profits dropped to £618.5m during a turbulent year which saw a complete overhaul of management and a takeover approach from retail tycoon Philip Green.

It blamed the slump on having to slash prices to shift excess stock, and the retailer said £1.3 billion of old products and commitments had now been cleared.

Chief executive Stuart Rose, who was parachuted into the top job at M&S in May last year, said a 3.1 per cent drop in clothing sales was "disappointing" because more shoppers had visited the stores.

Mr Lingard said: "I think we always knew when Stuart Rose took over that the challenge before him was going to be massive.

"It is a difficult time at the moment on the High Street, but hopefully some of the schemes put in place by Mr Rose will show fruition by this time next year. But this is not something that will happen overnight.

"The problems are being dealt with. M&S has lost its way in the past few years, but now it is getting back to core basics.

"Stores across the country look tired and staid and this is also something that is now being addressed."

Mr Rose's turnaround plan has seen more than 650 staff laid off at its head office in London and the sale of financial services arm M&S Money.

Swindon shopper Nicola Cehoe, 49, from Old Town, doesn't know why people are shunning the store.

She said: "I like the shop but you can buy fashions in other places.

Customer Judy Reynolds, 52, from Eldene, a product controller, said: "I think a lot of the stuff is really expensive."

Susan Roberts, of Pinehurst, a housekeeper, said: "I think it's quite expensive."

Retired Mary O'Neill, 67, of Stratton, said: "I think the fashion has gone downhill, it's not like it used to be.

"It's a bit matron like."

Lyndsay Scanlan