M&S on the way (From Free Press Series)

M&S on the way

ONE of Britain's top retailers, Marks and Spencer, is to open a store in Monmouth at the end of the year.

The outlet in Monnow Street will be one of the chain's 'Simply Food' stores occupying 5,000 sq ft of retail space.

It will offer customers the latest food and wine ranges.

In the region of 60 jobs will be created, with most staff recruited locally.

This new development comes on the back of an investment of more than £30m by Marks and Spencer to rejuvenate nine of its Welsh stores.

The retailer acquired the site of the old Len Hunt Motors building that has remained unoccupied since April 2001.

Developer, Constructive (UK) Ltd, moved in last week and quickly started demolishing the buildings to make way for the new store.

It is hoped the building work will be completed by October.

Marks and Spencer predicts it will then take approximately four weeks to fit the shop ready for an anticipated opening by the end of November.

John McElholm, property acquisition surveyor for Marks and Spencer, said: "We're delighted to reinforce our commitment to Wales by unveiling plans for this new store, which will provide Monmouth shoppers with our quality food in a convenient location."

Monmouth's mayor, Councillor Susan White, welcomed the news. She said: "Marks and Spencer is a well respected and trusted name and this will help draw people into the town. "Marks and Spencer's faith in the town by coming here is a good sign for the future, but my only reservation is that it is not a branch of its small department stores."

A spokesman from the Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce said: "Marks and Spencer has clearly done its projections, and can see the potential for business growth in Monmouth.

"The Chamber does have concerns for other traders offering similar products, but it's great for the town generally because it will attract more shoppers and help Monmouth to continue to develop."