Marks & Spencer unveils plans for 20 new stores creating more than 3,400 jobs

Marks & Spencer has announced it is opening 20 new shops across the UK as part of an overhaul of its stores creating more than 3,400 jobs.

The retailer unveiled plans for eight full-line stores in shopping centres and 12 new food halls, including in the seaside town of Largs in North Ayrshire.

It comes after M&S announced in January that a number of stores would shut in response to “changing” shopping habits.

It said it would reduce the number of its full-line stores by 67 to 180 by early 2026, with high-profile closures including on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street and at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre in Leith.

M&S said the new openings will bring investment in new stores to £480m.

Five of the business’ new full-line stores will be based in former Debenhams sites as part of its pledge to regenerate vacant store outlets.

The company also said it wants to open “bigger, better stores”.

M&S said each of the larger new stores had been designed “with local families in mind”, with wider aisles and more spacious clothing and home departments, allowing shoppers to browse.

They will also have new M&S cafes, as well as sustainable initiatives such as Fill Your Own, and offer free car parking.

The new market-style food halls will stock the full M&S food range.