These days there seems to be a constant stream of bad news about the British high street. It might seem like shops are always closing or downsizing, but here’s some more positive news: a huge new Marks & Spencer could be opening soon.
The £31 million plans to renovate a former Toys R’ Us store at the Copdock Interchange (just outside of Ipswich) have been recommended for approval by local planning officers, meaning the project is one step closer to becoming a reality. If you remember anything about Toys R’ Us (other than its iconic Christmas ads), it will probably be the immense size of its stores. M&S not only wants to take over the property, but also give it a sizeable extension.
Once complete, the shop would be more than 60,000 square feet large, making it one of the biggest in the UK. It would sell clothes, food and homeware, and even have an 80-seater café. If planning permission is granted, the goal is to open in the summer of 2027.
There is already a branch of the department store in Ipswich town centre, but it shouldn’t be too affected by the new opening. The company has assured that it will remain in place, although some staff members might be transferred. M&S reckons about 138 new jobs would be created and has said that it will prioritise hiring locals.
Babergh District Council will discuss the planning request next week, on December 17. It will consider, among other things, the potential reduction in people visiting the city centre that could come as a result of such a large anchor store outside of town.
Ipswich Borough Council has already said it is not concerned about this, noting that it believes there are more significant factors which ‘will keep footfall and investor sentiment high’ in future. Local council leader Neil McDonald added ‘the impact on Ipswich can only be positive’.
Generally, residents seem on board with the new Marks and Sparks location. The BBC reported that one person said there is ‘absolutely no reason for it to be delayed’ in a recent consultation, with no objections to the plans.
This is just the latest part of a much wider expansion project from M&S, which opened a spruced up food hall in London just this week. The department store hopes to open up hundreds of new branches both across the capital and throughout the rest of the UK.
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