Marks & Spencer in Brixton will close tomorrow (11 April) to undergo major refurbishment, the company confirmed today. It will reopen in the autumn as “a fresh-market style foodhall”.
The store will no longer have a clothing and home section.
The first M&S in London opened in Brixton in1903. The company’s first shop was in Manchester, dating from 1894. It began life in 1884, when immigrant Michael Marks secured a stall in Leeds’ Kirkgate market.
The current store on Brixton Road opened in 1931.
It remained open after the Uprising and riots of 1981 and 1985 which many feared would end Brixton’s status as a retail destination.
It will open again after “a huge makeover”.
It will offer fresh-baked breads and pastries throughout the day and takeaway hot drinks, including M&S’ Magic Coffee, as well as a hot food counter and flower and wine shops.
Brixton staff will join nearby stores until the new foodhall is ready.
M&S said the major investment is part of its store rotation programme to make sure it has “the right stores, in the right place and with the right space”.
Customers will still be able to collect their M&S.com orders at a click & collect point in-store. In the past year, more than 38,000 such items have been collected at the store.
While the Brixton store is closed, the nearest M&S foodhalls are at Streatham High Road, Streatham Hill, Dulwich and Clapham Junction. The nearest full-line store is Victoria Cardinal Place, easily accessible via the Victoria line.
M&S said that over the past two years, the retailer has invested more than £23 million in its stores across the capital.
“We’re so excited to unveil our new-look foodhall to customers later this year and it’s fantastic to have this investment in the future of M&S in Brixton,” said Brixton store manager Mark Aldridge.
“A bigger and better foodhall means even more delicious M&S Food products, from fresh fruit and vegetables grown by our select farmers to our Remarksable Value range and iconic Dine In. We’ll be able to offer more choice and a brilliant shopping experience.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to serve customers from our nearby stores and as a store team, we can’t wait to welcome them back later this year.”
Planning permission has been granted to build a five-storey hotel next to M&S above Superdrug along Dorrell Place.
I suggested this move (albeit with their award-winning Lingerie collection) years ago so I’m feeling a tad proud. Everyone should learn to concentrate on their strengths; it’s a shame they’re taking key items away though as it was their USP.