A HUGE Marks and Spencer food hall in a Scottish city is set to pull the shutters down for good next month.
Bosses have announced the flagship store on St Nicholas Street, in Aberdeen, will close for good after being open for 81 years.
A popular M&S store is set to close – but there is still good news for shoppers[/caption]
The store in a nearby shopping centre is set to expand[/caption]
It comes as part of the retail giant’s huge expansion plans[/caption]
The long-standing outlet has been popular with locals after it first opened on the street in 1944.
But it will now close as bosses announced that they are expanding their M&S store inside the city’s Union Square shopping centre.
Last year, the retail giant revealed that the St Nicholas Square store would shut and the premises inside the shopping centre would be extended.
It comes as part of bosses’ £15million expansion plans which will see the store be given an exciting makeover.
It is set to give the branch a new cafe, dedicated flower shop, wine shop and even a hot chicken counter.
The M&S branch is set to expand into the empty unit next door, which used to house the old TK Maxx store.
This is a game-changer for shoppers, offering customers an exciting new food hall with delicious, great quality food and the trusted value they expect
Luke Smith
This will see it double in size, creating a space for a huge market-style food hall that will include an “extra large bakery” and fresh veg stand.
The transformed store, which is expected to fully open in the summer, will also boast a 48,000 sq ft Clothing, Home & Beauty department.
This will showcase popular M&S brands like GoodMove, Per Una, Autograph, and Apothecary.
Customers will be able to find the latest fashions and beauty must-haves all under one roof, with the Beauty department set to triple in size to offer a greater selection of branded beauty products.
Bosses have revealed that the St Nicholas store will be closed in stages with the first phase happening over the next few months, according to the Press and Journal.
The cafe in Union Square will close from today until Wednesday, April 11, and during this time, the cafe at St Nicholas will stay open.
The food hall will shut on Thursday, April 10, and then other departments will follow over the summer months.
The Union Square will open up at the same time so that shoppers can access all M&S products during the transition.
This gives enough time for the new transformed store in Union Square to open in the summer.
The opening of the new foodhall, coffee shop and menswear section is part of plans for an impressive 97,300 sq ft full-line store.
Why everyone is loving M&S
SHOPPERS are loving M&S at the moment – and not just for it’s food.
Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale revealed to Fabulous why M&S is the shop of the moment for fashion. She explained:
“M&S has really pulled it out of the bag this season, there is so much good product to be excited about.
“A brand once known for its ‘frumpy fashion’ that notion is long gone with it now being one of the leading high street stores for womenswear.
“Its handbag range in particular is super strong with them selling 170% vs plan, with lots more designer dupes for just a fraction of the price.
“The brand is now also the #1 for style perceptions, compared to the #3 spot it had last year, this comes from a really strong design team focused on modernising the brand, not only taking into consideration how the pieces look, but how easy they are to wear also.
“Price is also a big factor with you being able to get many good quality pieces all for under £30.
“After having a sneak peak of the upcoming collection there are so many more amazing pieces that are dropping over the next few months to keep your eyes on.
“Think leopard print dresses, colourful co-ords, embroidered boho jackets, plus lots of swimwear and amazing accessories, as well as great wardrobe staples that will last year on year.”
With a foodhall almost double the size of the previous offering, represents a £15m investment in Aberdeen City Centre and is part of a £30million investment by M&S in its Scottish stores.
M&S store manager, Luke Smith, told the Press and Journal they are counting down the days until the new expanded store in Union Square opens.
He said: “This is a game-changer for shoppers, offering customers an exciting new food hall with delicious, great quality food and the trusted value they expect from M&S.”
Rachel Rankine, Regional Manager for M&S in North Scotland said: “This flagship store represents a significant investment in Aberdeen and underscores our commitment to the region.
“We’re incredibly proud to bring the very best of M&S to local customers, including delicious food, trusted quality products, and great value options, all within a modern shopping experience.”
The store will be closed in phases[/caption]
