Opening date for new M&S foodhall in Paisley
Retail park move as High Street store prepares to close
The new Marks & Spencer foodhall in Paisley is set to open its doors next week as the popular High Street building prepares to close its doors.
The retail giant will open the new foodhall within Wallneuk Retail Park, in Renfrew Road, on May 26.
The announcement comes as the town centre’s outlet store will close for good on May 25, having operated in the town since 1931.
Stark images of the near-empty iconic building were taken by Paisley photographer David Cameron, marking the end of an era after 89 years.
The new foodhall is moving a few minutes away from the original store and will be led by manager Kirk Russell and his team of 80 colleagues.
It’s understood all staff will remain working at the High Street store until Tuesday before moving across to the new store on opening day next Wednesday.
A spokesman from the M& S team says staff will continue to offer the community the best service to make sure they can get everything they need when shopping in Paisley.
Mr Russell, who has worked at M&S for almost 29 years, said: “M& S has served customers in Paisley for the past 90 years and my team and I are really excited about our new store.
“We’ll be working hard to provide outstanding service and help make every penny count for the community.
“Our new foodhall will offer all the everyday essentials, as well as seasonal inspiration and innovation such as a pick your own eggs section and a huge cheese barge, which really adds to the store’s marketplace feel.
“Cutting the ribbon and welcoming customers in for the first time will be a great moment for the team and I hope lots of local residents will pop down and join us.”
The former store has been sold to Beyond Retail Property Ltd - the same firm that purchased The Paisley Centre - as part of its ambitious plans to transform the town centre.
The site, adjacent to The Paisley Centre, will be incorporated into the company’s wider regeneration plan, which is expected to progress this year.
Beyond Retail Property Fund hopes to revamp the properties to create new homes and a mixture of retail, leisure and commercial units, together with new outdoor public spaces.