M&S to open new flagship store in Bath

·         Retailer relocating to 83,000 sq ft store in SouthGate Shopping Centre

·         New store represents £17m investment and guarantees future for M&S in Bath

M&S has announced at its AGM plans to open a brand-new 83,000 sq ft flagship store in Bath, relocating to a new location at SouthGate.

The move totals a £17m investment by the retailer, allowing it to offer the very best shopping experience for its customers, and guarantee a future for M&S in Bath

Customers will be able to shop both delicious M&S Food and the retailer’s extensive Clothing & Beauty ranges from the show-stopping location once open.

Colleagues at the current Stall Street store will have the opportunity to relocate to the new store and the Stall Street store will continue trading until the SouthGate store is ready to open.

The move is part of the retailer’s store rotation strategy to make sure it has the right stores in the right place and with the right space to offer a brilliant shopping experience 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 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 colleagues and working with over 1,100 Select Farmers in the region. This latest investment builds on the c. £6m invested in its existing South West stores over the past three years.

M&S will work with Bath & North East Somerset Council on the future use of the current M&S 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 line up 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.”