Flagship M&S store opening date revealed
Marks & Spencer has announced it is to open its hotly-anticipated new Maidstone store next week. The shop, located in Eclipse Retail Park, will welcome its first customers on Wednesday. Clothing, food and home departments plus a 130-seat café will join neighbouring Next Home & Fashion, which opened at the retail park, near junction 7 of the M20, in 2014.
The high-end household brand had been expected to open last year, but was pushed back. When the project secured planning permission in 2018, the director claimed “Maidstone will be our premier opening in 2019 for the whole country”. The new store, constructed by Gallagher Group, brings the number of M&S stores in town to two after the closure of the women’s wear store in Week Street.
Led by store manager, André Brincat, the new outlet will be run by a team of around 130 staff.
In addition, to celebrate the relaunch of M&S’s customer loyalty scheme Sparks, the team will give one randomly-selected customer their shopping for free once a day during the opening week.
Parking is also free at the retail park, with 260 spaces available. An employee of the company for 11 years, Mr Brincat said: “My team and I are really excited about our new flagship store in Maidstone. When open, we’ll be working hard to provide outstanding service and help make every penny count for the community. Our new store will offer thousands of great quality food products, the latest in clothing inspiration and essentials for the whole family. “We’re really looking forward to welcoming the community and we will have measures in place to reflect the latest guidelines, to ensure everyone can shop safely with peace of mind.” The store will open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 9pm and Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Gallagher also has permission for a hotel and offices.