After months of anticipation, Marks & Spencer has today (November 30) officially opened its new store in the popular Trafford Centre, Manchester. The M&S Trafford Centre team gathered at the store entrance at 10am with Store Manager, Laura Smith, who was joined by guests of honour Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar, to cut the ribbon and declare the store officially open.
Located in Trafford Centre, the former Debenhams department store at the far end of Regent Crescent has been transformed into a new 98,000 sq ft M&S store. The new opening features a fresh market-style Foodhall, stylish and spacious new Clothing, Home and Beauty departments, and a new 152-seat M&S Café.
As well as creating 180 new jobs, the new-look M&S Trafford Centre store is one of nine new stores set to open throughout November – the biggest ever month for new M&S store openings, which will support over 2,200 local jobs across the UK.
The stalwart British brand promises that shopping with M&S will be easier than ever with its team of colleagues on hand to offer support and styling advice, and new features like the option to skip the queues altogether and pay straight away in the store fitting rooms.
Other highlights include a bigger-than-ever M&S Footwear offer with a spacious try-on area, and a transformed M&S Beauty department showcasing customer favourites, including the ever-popular Apothecary collection and the new M&S Fresh Elements skincare range.
Inside the brand-new M&S Foodhall, customers will find a new fresh-market feel, with displays brimming with great quality, trusted value produce from M&S Select Farms, and a show-stopping bakery offering fresh daily-baked bread and pastries. Other Foodhall highlights include a sensational selection of cheeses and a dedicated M&S Wine Shop.
The new Café offers a transformed menu, as well as M&S Café favourites, including Magic Coffee, the hottest new style of coffee to reach the UK since the Flat White and exclusive to M&S Cafés. Opening in time for Christmas, customers will be able to tuck into M&S’s Best-Ever Christmas menu and pick from a selection of merry mains, seasonal snacks and drinks.
Some of the hot picks include the new Turkey & Ham Hock Toastie with gravy dipper, Turkey Pot Pie, and Giant Festive Cheesy Rarebit Crumpet. Colin The Caterpillar Hot Chocolates are also a must try – an indulgent hot chocolate, topped with whipped chocolate cream, Colin sprinkles and a Christmas Colin face.
Soaking up the opening day celebrations, Store Manager Laura Smith, who has worked at M&S for over 25 years, said: “We are thrilled to officially open our brand-new store today in Trafford Centre. The last few weeks have been so exciting for us all as we’ve seen the store take shape, and I’d like to thank everyone in the team for all their hard work to make sure everything is ready for our customers today.
“The store is an exciting investment in the future of M&S in Trafford, and I can’t wait for our customers to explore all the new features that the store has to offer. Along with our existing Trafford team of over 180 colleagues, we’re really pleased to introduce 180 new recruits to M&S Trafford Centre who can’t wait to meet everyone.”
The new M&S store at the Trafford Centre is located in Regent Crescent, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AJ.