Marks & Spencer has officially opened its new flagship store in Bath, with customers welcomed into the four-floor, 83,000 sq ft site at SouthGate this morning. The store replaces the retailer’s former premises on Stall Street and forms part of a wider rollout of over 20 new or refurbished stores being launched across the UK this financial year.
Spread across multiple levels, the new store combines all of the retailer’s key categories. On the ground floor, shoppers can access a 14,000 sq ft foodhall offering fresh produce from M&S Select Farms, as well as the latest products such as the newly launched gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar cake and a nutrient-rich range. The food section also includes a bakery and coffee counter with barista-made drinks, an expanded frozen section, and value-focused ranges including ‘Remarksable Value’ and ‘Bigger Pack Better Value’.
Three upper levels cater to fashion, home and beauty. Womenswear includes the latest Autograph collections, while menswear features the Jaeger label. A new beauty hall has also been introduced, spanning 1,600 sq ft, and offering brands not previously available in Bath. These include Estee Lauder, ESPA, Hello Sunday, Bare Minerals, ICONIC and Sam McKnight, alongside existing M&S lines such as Apothecary and Discover fragrances.
Upstairs, customers will find a curated homeware collection which includes the M&S x Kelly Hoppen range, displayed in a dedicated section on the top floor. For those looking to take a break during their visit, a 140-seater M&S Coffee Shop provides both breakfast and lunch options.
The new site also brings community initiatives with it. As part of The Parent Hood, M&S’s baby club, the Coffee Shop will host weekly parent and baby mornings. Sparks members of The Parent Hood can receive a complimentary slice of cake, pastry or fruit pot with the purchase of a hot drink.
Store services also include Click & Collect and Travel Money, both of which are located on the first floor. M&S Bath SouthGate will open from 8am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
The store is managed by Natalie Jordan, who has been with the company for over ten years and now leads a team of 280 employees. Commenting on the launch, she said:
“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 this morning from customers has been so rewarding for the whole team. So, if you’re looking for the perfect outfit, doing your weekly food shop or craving our M&S coffee, we can’t wait to welcome you soon.”
The move has also been welcomed by the centre’s landlord. Laurence Budden, Senior Asset Manager at British Land, said:
“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, building on other recent openings, including Sunglass Hut, Zara and Rituals, with more exciting news to come.”
