The highly anticipated new flagship Marks & Spencer store in Bath officially opened its doors at 9am on February 4th. Giant inflatable mascots of Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar greeted hundreds of excited shoppers, many of whom queued around the block eager to explore the new SouthGate branch.
In a generous welcome, around 500 Percy Pig tote bags were handed out to early visitors, quickly running out and prompting several shoppers to ask where they could get one. The four-storey store buzzed with customers browsing an extensive range of products including fresh food, flowers, baked goods, perfumes, clothing, homeware, and more.
M&S PR Manager Allan Ross explained the store’s appeal: “It’s one of the most modern stores in the country, with the atmosphere of a fresh market. Customers can expect great quality and excellent value.”
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But after six hours of busy trading and the excitement of opening day, how did Bath shoppers really feel about the new store?
Visitors came from as far as Wells and Winchester to experience the new M&S. Robert and Kim, who drove in from Wells, said, “We had some time on our hands and since it’s a new store, we thought we’d come and check it out.”
Otis, visiting from Winchester with his partner and their cockapoo, shared his impressions: “It’s really big and slightly overwhelming — probably because of all the people. But it’s beautiful inside. The changing rooms and variety of items are impressive.”
Asked if he would return, Otis said enthusiastically, “Absolutely!”
However, not all feedback was glowing. One shopper admitted she was “a bit disappointed with the women’s section.”
Despite mixed opinions, the crowds spoke volumes. A queue of at least 250 people lined up by 8:30am, and even by lunchtime, throngs continued to flow in and out of the four-storey flagship store, signaling strong interest and excitement for M&S in Bath.