Marks and Spencer in £6m revamp
Marks & Spencer is to refurbish its store on Fishergate at a cost which is believed to be £6m.
Bosses say it will give a "fresh new look" to the two-storey city centre store which attracts thousands of shoppers every week.
It comes a year after the Evening Post revealed M&S could also open a store in the long-awaited £800m city centre Tithebarn regeneration scheme.
City leaders welcomed the investment from M&S in its Fishergate store at a time when many local retailers are feeling the pinch of the "credit crunch."
The revamp will begin in early May ready for an unveiling in September.
The store will remain open during the overhaul.
A spokesman for Marks and Spencer told the Evening Post: "The investment cements our place on the high street in Preston and reinforces our commitment to the city.
"The investment will give a modern new look to our store and cafe area and bring about some of the changes our customers have been asking for.
"In particular we are creating a new area for our Per Una womenswear range, increased seating and food offering in the cafe and installing new toilet facilities within the store.
"There will be bright lighting, new floor walkways and a fresh new look for the store."
She declined to comment on the value of the refurbishment, except to say it was "a significant investment."
Last year, it was revealed talks between the firm, Preston Council and developers the Preston Tithebarn Partnership were believed to be at an advanced stage, although neither party has confirmed M&S as the second anchor.
Today, a spokesman for Preston Council declined to comment on the retailer's involvement in the massive regeneration project.
He said: "We welcome any investment of this kind in the city centre."
Frank McKenna, chairman of business club Downtown Preston in Business, said the investment was likely to be a short-term one with a view to it not needing another cash boost until 2014, when it is hoped Tithebarn will be complete.
General manager Ken Williams, of The Mall St George's shopping centre which houses a major entrance into the store, said: "Any retailer worth its salt is constantly looking to update and modernise facilities as its customers and it is encouraging that a major store is making such a commitment to Preston."
Preston Chamber of Trade chief executive Nicholas Watson hailed the move as a boost for the city, as some retailers battle against a slowdown.
He said: "We are pleased that a flagship store in Preston has made such a major investment in the city, at a time when economic conditions are tough.
"Marks and Spencer has become a fixture on our high streets for generations."
Anthony Gill, project director of the Preston Tithebarn Partnership, said he was not in a position to confirm the identity of its second anchor store until it had agreed a contract.
Bosses say it will give a "fresh new look" to the two-storey city centre store which attracts thousands of shoppers every week.
It comes a year after the Evening Post revealed M&S could also open a store in the long-awaited £800m city centre Tithebarn regeneration scheme.
City leaders welcomed the investment from M&S in its Fishergate store at a time when many local retailers are feeling the pinch of the "credit crunch."
The revamp will begin in early May ready for an unveiling in September.
The store will remain open during the overhaul.
A spokesman for Marks and Spencer told the Evening Post: "The investment cements our place on the high street in Preston and reinforces our commitment to the city.
"The investment will give a modern new look to our store and cafe area and bring about some of the changes our customers have been asking for.
"In particular we are creating a new area for our Per Una womenswear range, increased seating and food offering in the cafe and installing new toilet facilities within the store.
"There will be bright lighting, new floor walkways and a fresh new look for the store."
She declined to comment on the value of the refurbishment, except to say it was "a significant investment."
Last year, it was revealed talks between the firm, Preston Council and developers the Preston Tithebarn Partnership were believed to be at an advanced stage, although neither party has confirmed M&S as the second anchor.
Today, a spokesman for Preston Council declined to comment on the retailer's involvement in the massive regeneration project.
He said: "We welcome any investment of this kind in the city centre."
Frank McKenna, chairman of business club Downtown Preston in Business, said the investment was likely to be a short-term one with a view to it not needing another cash boost until 2014, when it is hoped Tithebarn will be complete.
General manager Ken Williams, of The Mall St George's shopping centre which houses a major entrance into the store, said: "Any retailer worth its salt is constantly looking to update and modernise facilities as its customers and it is encouraging that a major store is making such a commitment to Preston."
Preston Chamber of Trade chief executive Nicholas Watson hailed the move as a boost for the city, as some retailers battle against a slowdown.
He said: "We are pleased that a flagship store in Preston has made such a major investment in the city, at a time when economic conditions are tough.
"Marks and Spencer has become a fixture on our high streets for generations."
Anthony Gill, project director of the Preston Tithebarn Partnership, said he was not in a position to confirm the identity of its second anchor store until it had agreed a contract.
| Created: | 22nd May 2008 |
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| Last Updated: | 22nd May 2008 |
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