// M&S to open new, larger store in Colchester
// The retailer will create a much larger 62,000sq ft trading space
Marks & Spencer has revealed plans to open a new, larger store in Colchester as it closes its current one in the town’s high street.
The new outlet at Stane Retail Park in Stanway will offer a bigger range of M&S products with new Foodhall and Clothing & Home departments as well as an M&S Café.
M&S previously said it would open an M&S Foodhall at the park but it is now looking to extend into a next door unit to create a much larger 62,000 sq ft trading space.
READ MORE: M&S to permanently close Glasgow store after “changing” shopping habits
The £70 million Stane Retail Park is set to be fully completed in April 2022.
M&S begins work on its new store after that. It is scheduled to open later this autumn.
M&S regional boss Andrew Icke said: “Shopping habits are changing, so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores to offer our customers a brilliant shopping experience.
“We appreciate the current store closure may be disappointing news for some, but we believe this is the right decision to invest in a new store for the local area so we can deliver the very best of M&S for customers in Colchester.”
The existing M&S Colchester store in the high street will close later this year – but will stay open as normal until the new store is ready.
All staff working there will be able to transfer to the new Stane Retail Park store or other M&S outlets. M&S also plans to create new jobs for local workers when the new shop opens.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
2 Comments. Leave new
Shame on M&S to abandon local heart of city for soulless out of town retail. Local residents have pleaded for a foodhall to remain only to have the time line accelerated. I will not use the new store as a matter of principle
Totally agree. What a shame to close M&S in the town. The town is absolutely boring, wouldn’t ever suggest to visit it. Only interesting shop is Fenwicks.