Marks and Spencer is set to open a new store in the south west of England six months earlier than originally planned. Shoppers will be welcomed to a new superstore at Weymouth Gateway Retail Park in Dorset on July 15.
New Store Details
The new shop will feature a food hall, cafe, and sections for clothing, home, and beauty items. It will also include the chain's in-store bakery, offering a range of pastries, cakes, cookies, breads, and doughnuts. M&S is known for its quality food, homeware, and clothing, with more than 1,000 stores across the UK.
Job Creation and Staffing
Charles Pinner, regional manager at M&S, said: "We are excited to reveal that our brand-new Weymouth Gateway full-line store will open this summer. We expect the opening to create 50 new local jobs and are looking for colleagues who are passionate about serving customers and raising the bar in retail to join the team." Around 60 staff members who already work for a nearby M&S will be offered roles at the new shop.
Background and Expansion
In 2024, the planning application was approved by Dorset Council. M&S is running a multi-million pound relocation project with investments into its supermarket stores. The new store will replace the St Mary Street branch.
History of M&S
M&S first started in 1884, when Michael Marks came to the north of England and secured a stall at Kirkgate Market in Leeds. He built his success using the slogan “Don’t ask the price, it’s a Penny”. The stall, which sold simple homewares, soon thrived. To support his growing business, Michael joined forces with Tom Spencer, a cashier from wholesalers Dewhirst. From this partnership, the business began to take shape and eventually turned into the M&S we know today.
