Marks & Spencer has officially opened a significant new flagship store in the historic city of Bath, marking a major investment in its physical retail presence. The expansive four-floor location spans an impressive 83,000 square feet and represents a key part of the retailer's broader strategy, which includes ambitious plans to open up to 500 additional stores across the United Kingdom.
A Comprehensive Retail Destination
The newly inaugurated store offers a complete M&S experience under one roof. The ground floor is dedicated to a substantial 14,000 square foot fresh market-style foodhall, complete with a new bakery, a dedicated coffee counter, and a flower shop. This setup is designed to provide customers with a premium grocery shopping experience in the heart of the city centre.
Fashion, Homeware, and Beauty Collections
Moving upwards, the first floor houses the store's fashion collections alongside convenient customer services, including Click and Collect facilities and a travel money bureau. The top floor is reserved for homeware, featuring the popular M&S x Kelly Hoppen home edit. Additionally, the store boasts a dedicated 1,600 square foot beauty hall that stocks not only M&S products but also a selection of third-party brands, enhancing its appeal as a comprehensive lifestyle destination.
Strategic Location and Historical Context
The store is situated within the SouthGate Bath development, a prominent city-centre location with strong transport links. Natalie Jordan, the Store Manager at Bath SouthGate, highlighted the brand's deep connection to the area, noting M&S has had a presence in Bath dating back to 1895. "It is brilliant to be investing in a brand-new flagship store in the city centre," she stated. "Our focus is now delivering the trusted value and exceptional quality we're known for – alongside a touch of that M&S magic."
Laurence Budden, Senior Asset Manager at British Land, the developer behind SouthGate, expressed delight at welcoming Marks & Spencer. "They are the perfect addition to our strong line-up and further enhance the mix for our visitors," Budden said, adding that the scheme is now fully let following this opening.
Ambitious National Expansion Plans
This flagship opening coincides with M&S publicly sharing a substantial 'wish list' of 500 locations across the UK where it aims to establish new stores. The strategy appears focused on opening larger-format locations capable of offering the brand's full range, particularly the complete M&S Food offering, which has been a significant growth driver for the business.
The Bath store serves as a tangible example of this expansion model—a large, multifunctional space designed to be a showstopping retail destination. Jordan remarked on the positive customer response, stating it has been "so rewarding for the whole team." This development in Bath is positioned as the start of a transformational year for the SouthGate scheme, building on other recent openings from brands like Zara and Rituals.
