M&S has revealed plans to relocate from its current site on Stall Street in Bath into the former Debenhams store in the SouthGate shopping centre.
How the new M&S store in SouthGate will look | Image © M&S
The relocation, which will cost £17 million, will guarantee a future for M&S in the city, the retailer has said.
Customers will be able to continue shopping for M&S Food along with the extensive Clothing & Beauty ranges at the new store.
Colleagues at the current Stall Street store will have the opportunity to relocate to the new store and the Stall Street site will continue trading until the SouthGate store opens.
The move is part of the retailer’s store rotation strategy to make sure it has the right stores in the right place, with the right space for customers.
At its recent full-year results, the retailer announced plans to open up to four new full-line stores and nine new foodhalls across the UK in the current financial year.
M&S CEO Stuart Machin, who announced the plans at the retailer’s AGM today, Tuesday 2nd July, 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.
“This new £17m investment in a flagship Bath store means we can deliver on that promise and secure M&S’ future in the city.
“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 currently has over 45 stores across the South West, employing over 4,000 people and working with over 1,100 Select Farmers in the region.
This latest investment builds on the circa £6 million invested in its existing South West stores over the past three years.
The retailer has said it will work with Bath & North East Somerset Council on the future use of the current M&S store in Bath.
Darren Richards, Head of Real Estate at British Land, commented: “SouthGate’s prominent city centre location and strong national transport links create a compelling offer for our occupiers, and following this letting we are delighted that the scheme is now fully let.
“Marks and Spencer is a great retailer with whom we continue to work closely as they expand their offer across our retail portfolio.
“They will be a brilliant addition to the strong lineup at SouthGate.”
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.”
