Has anyone else heard that harpenden's m and s is closing? I hope it's not true!

No. But I have heard that Wetherspoons are looking around the area again. If Mr Birtles' memory is serving him correctly they were after the M&S location after Iceland closed. Then there is the Skew Bridge or even the old Ogglesbys garage. In these times they might get planning permisssion rather easier than before! Not what our friendly local pubs need at the moment!