Marks & Spencer to open new flagship store in Bristol's Cabot Circus in return to city centre

The 80,000 sq ft store is backed by a £21m investment by the retailer and will offer customers the ‘very best of M&S food, clothing and beauty’.   

The opening, in place of House of Fraser, is anticipated to create an estimated 150 new jobs and is part of the retailer’s store rotation strategy.

It marks a return of M&S to the city centre after its store in Broadmead closed in 2022 after 70 years.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin, who announced the plans at the retailer’s AGM today, said: “It’s brilliant to be announcing our return to Bristol city centre today.

“At Cabot Circus, we’re able to create a flagship store which delivers the best possible shopping experience for customers and showcases the very best of M&S.

“Our store rotation programme is all about ensuring we have the right stores in the right place and with the right space to excite and inspire our customers, including in city centres.

“This £21m investment will allow us to do just that while expanding our footprint across the South West.”

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The CEO of Cabot Circus’s owners Hammerson, Rita-Rose Gagné, added: “We are delighted to continue expanding our partnership with M&S in Cabot Circus, having seen the positive impact of their presence across our other destinations.

“M&S is a brand that resonates with our core catchment areas and this new store will support our strategy to create a leading destination, thriving at the heart of Bristol city centre.” 

Cabot Circus complements M&S’ existing offer across Bristol, including its Avonmeads, Eastgate, Imperial Park and Whiteladies Road stores as well as Cribbs Causeway and Longwell Green.

At its recent full-year results, the retailer announced plans to open up to four new full-line stores and nine new foodhalls across the UK in the current financial year.