With the Bath branch of Marks & Spencer set to relocate to the former Debenhams store in February, the spotlight is on the future of what will happen to the current Stall Street premises.
The store on Stall Street in Bath
The relocation to the former department store, which has been empty since 2021, was announced in July 2024 and is costing £17 million.
At the time, the retailer said it would work with the council, which owns the Stall Street premises, on its future use.
This week, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for resources, Councillor Mark Elliott, told the Echo: “It is a huge boost for the city that Marks & Spencer is investing in the city with a new store and we look forward to the opening next year.
“Marks & Spencer continues to hold a long lease of the existing premises from the council which still has a very significant period left to run, so any decision over the future use of the building currently rests with Marks & Spencer.”
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) Chief Executive Officer Allison Herbert told the Echo that it does not know of any plans for the M&S store at the moment.
She said: “There are lots of people who have indicated that they would be interested in pursuing a community use for the space.
“It’s a great opportunity for the city, in a prime location with excellent delivery and parking facilities.”
We have contacted M&S for comment.
Earlier this week, we asked people via our Facebook page what they’d like to see to replace the current store on Stall Street. We have had hundreds of responses and a variety of suggestions.
Among the ideas are: John Lewis, Selfridges, a relocated Primark, Matalan, Home Bargains, The Range, Uniqlo, B&M, Dunelm, a Next with a furniture department and Zara Home.
One reader suggests: “Turn it into a fantastic market place for smaller shops and restaurants.”
Another says: “I really miss Homebase, so something like that that’s actually useful.”
