In Pictures: Marks & Spencer opens new Lakeside store

Marks & Spencer has opened a 97,000 sq ft store at Lakeside, forming part of its plans to open a record number of stores this November.

The new space features elevated clothing, home and beauty departments, alongside a fresh market-style foodhall and 140-seat M&S Café.

As part of this, a transformed M&S beauty department showcases various brands across makeup, skincare, haircare and fragrance, including the retailer's own Apothecary and Fresh Elements collections.

The clothing department also offers shoppers the latest collections across womenswear, kidswear and menswear - with dedicated areas to spotlight M&S customer favourites such as Per Una, Autograph, Goodmove and Jaegar.

The relocation also increases the visibility of M&S at Lakeside, as well as from the surrounding road network. It includes the creation of a new, enlarged portal entrance from an upgraded car park, granting improved access to the foodhall and wider store, as part of a £20 million investment by Lakeside.

Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “The new M&S store has been long-awaited by our guests and we are delighted to see the doors open today – just in time for the festive shopping period.

“Significant investment has gone into the new space – reflected in increased prominence in the mall, better accessibility, as well as an enhanced customer experience – all of which will act as footfall drivers.

“M&S is a long-standing partner, having enjoyed many successful years at the centre -  and we’re excited to support them on this next chapter with us.”

The Lakeside store is one of nine new M&S openings throughout November, including six new stores and three store renewals - totalling a £80 million investment in bricks-and-mortar retail and supporting over 2,200 local jobs across the UK.

The department store aims to rotate from a base of 247 stores to 180 "high quality, higher productivity" full line stores thats sell its clothing, home and food ranges, while also opening over 100 "bigger and better" food sites by FY27/28.

Last week, M&S reported stronger-than-expected profits for the past half year after it was buoyed by a surge in sales across fashion and food.

CEO Stuart Machin said the business saw strong sales momentum continue into October, with customers responding well to Christmas products.