M&S TO OPEN FLAGSHIP STORES IN BRISTOL AND BATH

M&S has unveiled plans to open new flagship stores in Bristol and Bath in an investment worth nearly £40m.

The company said it would relocate its store in Bath to a 83,000 sq ft unit at Southgate Shopping Centre, while it will also make a return to Bristol's city centre. The move is part of the retailer's strategy to invest in its bricks-and-mortar shops.

Both stores will sell the M&S food range as well as clothing and beauty items.

The new 80,000 sq ft flagship store at Bristol's Cabot Circus will replace House of Fraser and is expected to create 150 jobs.

Meanwhile, staff currently working at Bath's Stall Street store will be offered the opportunity to relocate to the new site, M&S said. The Stall Street store will continue to trade until the Southgate Shopping Centre branch is open.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin, who announced the plans at the retailer’s AGM on Tuesday (July 2) in response to a shareholder question, said: “We want to offer the best possible shopping experience for customers every single time they shop with us."

He added: "Our store rotation strategy is all about making sure we can showcase the very best of M&S – and that touch of M&S magic – from stores which excite and inspire. We’ve seen great results so far where we have relocated stores, in city centres like Liverpool and Birmingham, helping us to attract new customers and giving us the confidence to go faster with the strategy.”

M&S said it would work with Bath & North East Somerset Council on the future use of the current M&S in Bath.

Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “We welcome this continued investment in our vibrant city which has a fantastic retail offer. The great location of Bath and proximity of a number of tourist attractions has seen strong demand from a mix of retailers coming out of the pandemic and the council is committed to supporting them. We look forward to working with M&S on the future of the current store in Stall Street.”

Mr Machin said it was also "brilliant" to be returning to Bristol. Bosses at Hammerson, which owns Cabot, also welcomed the news.

Rita-Rose Gagné, chief executive of Hammerson, added: "We are delighted to continue expanding our partnership with M&S in Cabot Circus, having seen the positive impact of their presence across our other destinations. M&S is a brand that resonates with our core catchment areas and this new store will support our strategy to create a leading destination, thriving at the heart of Bristol city centre.”

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2024-07-02T13:18:32Z dg43tfdfdgfd