The new flagship Marks & Spencer store in Bath officially opened its doors at 9am this morning (February 4), drawing hundreds of eager shoppers who queued around the block to explore the SouthGate branch. Giant inflatable mascots—a Percy Pig and a Colin the Caterpillar—welcomed visitors as they arrived.
Approximately 500 Percy Pig tote bags were handed out to early customers, quickly running out and prompting some to ask where they could still get one. The four-floor store buzzed with activity as shoppers browsed an extensive range of products including food, flowers, bakery items, perfumes, clothing, homeware, and more.
Allan Ross, PR Manager for M&S, highlighted the excitement surrounding the store: “It’s one of the most modern stores in the country. It has the feel of a fresh market. You’ll find great quality and great value here.”
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But six hours after the grand opening, what do shoppers really think? We spoke to several visitors to get their honest opinions.
People travelled from as far as Wells and Winchester to experience the new store. 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 and his partner visited Bath from Winchester along with their cockapoo. On his impression of the store, Otis said, “It’s really big—slightly overwhelming with so many people—but it’s also really beautiful inside. The changing rooms and the variety of products are amazing.” When asked if he would return, he answered, “Absolutely, yeah!”
Not all feedback was glowing, though. One woman confided, “I was a bit disappointed with the women’s section.”
Despite mixed reviews, the turnout was impressive. A queue of around 250 shoppers formed before the store opened at 8:30am, and by lunchtime the store remained busy with a steady flow of customers exploring the four floors.