Work set to start on Midlands’ largest Marks & Spencer store
DEVELOPER St Modwen has announced that work will start next month on the Midlands’ largest Marks & Spencer store at its £70m Longbridge town centre scheme.
The project is expected to create 500 new jobs.
Earmarked to open in time to retail for Christmas 2015, the 150,000 sq ft, two-storey outlet will anchor the second phase of the town centre and offer clothing, food and a café.
It will be built by Rugby-based construction company Morgan Sindall and will be one of the largest Marks & Spencer stores in the country.
Mike Murray, senior development surveyor at St Modwen, said: “This flagship store is indicative of the growing confidence retailers place in the regeneration at Longbridge.
“Since last year around 26,000 shoppers have visited the town centre each week, showing the potential the area has as a retail destination. Attracting international retailers such as Marks & Spencer is a key part of our overall aim to create business and employment opportunities in the area.”
Up to 350 jobs will be generated by the new Marks & Spencer store, and a further 150 will be created in the construction process.
Julie Ridley, regional manager at Marks & Spencer, said: “This is a major investment for Marks & Spencer and our long-term lease shows our commitment to the area and the Longbridge regeneration project.”
Alongside the new Marks & Spencer, planning permission has been granted for a further 45,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant and café space and new multi storey customer car park.
The first phase of the town centre, which opened last year, features retailers including Sainsbury’s, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Premier Inn and Beefeater alongside the £66m Bournville College, £2m Austin Park and Park Point office building.
