M&S Launches Impressive New Flagship Store in Bath as Part of Ambitious UK Expansion
Marks & Spencer has officially opened a brand-new flagship store in the historic city of Bath, marking a significant milestone in the retailer's ongoing revitalisation strategy. The expansive new outlet, which spans an impressive 83,000 square feet across four floors, replaces the company's previous location on Stall Street and represents a substantial investment in the local retail landscape.
A Detailed Look at the New Bath SouthGate Store
The ground floor of this state-of-the-art retail space is dedicated to a fresh market-style foodhall, covering 14,000 square feet. This area features a comprehensive bakery and coffee counter alongside a charming flower shop, designed to enhance the shopping experience for customers seeking quality groceries and artisanal products.
Shoppers exploring the upper levels will discover three full floors dedicated to fashion, showcasing popular collections such as Autograph womenswear and the heritage menswear brand Jaeger. The first floor also houses convenient click and collect services and travel money facilities, adding practical value to the visit.
A notable highlight is the brand-new 1,600 square foot beauty hall, which stocks an array of third-party brands including Estee Lauder, ESPA, Hello Sunday, Bare Minerals, ICONIC, and Sam McKnight. This section also features Clinique products alongside M&S Apothecary and Discover fragrance lines, offering a premium beauty shopping destination.
The top floor presents a carefully curated homeware collection, featuring the popular M&S x Kelly Hoppen edit, allowing customers to browse stylish home furnishings and accessories in an inviting environment.
Part of a Broader National Retail Strategy
This Bath SouthGate opening is not an isolated event but rather one of more than 20 new or renewed stores that M&S is launching across the United Kingdom during the second half of the current financial year. The move aligns with the retailer's recently revealed ambition to identify 500 potential locations for future store openings, as the company seeks larger sites to support the expansion of its food business.
M&S is particularly focused on securing substantial sites capable of stocking the complete range of M&S Food products, with the target size for these food stores increasing to an average of 18,000 square feet. This strategic shift aims to double the scale of their food operations and strengthen their market position.
Executive Perspectives on the New Development
Natalie Jordan, Store Manager at Bath SouthGate, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, stating: "We have a fantastic history in Bath, dating back to 1895 and it is brilliant to be investing in a brand-new flagship store in the city centre. Our focus is now delivering the trusted value and exceptional quality we're known for – alongside a touch of that M&S magic. Our new showstopping store does just that and the response from customers has been so rewarding for the whole team."
Laurence Budden, Senior Asset Manager at British Land, added: "We are delighted to welcome Marks and Spencer to SouthGate Bath; they are the perfect addition to our strong line-up and further enhance the mix for our visitors. SouthGate's prominent city centre location and strong transport links create a compelling offer, and with this the scheme is now fully let. This opening is a great way to start a transformational year for SouthGate."
The Bath flagship represents both a continuation of M&S's long-standing presence in the area and a forward-looking step in their national retail expansion, combining historical legacy with modern retail innovation to meet evolving consumer demands.
