It was a clear choice. Go to the gym and work on muscle loss, or go greet a giant inflatable sweet outside the new M and S store in SouthGate.
By the time I reached the former Debenhams store – now raised and revamped like a commercial phoenix by those lovely people at ‘Marx and Sparks’, the doors had been flung open, and it was down to business.
I was told it’s estimated 650 people had queued around the outside of the building as far down as Bath Spa Station to witness the official opening and – for the lucky ones – to collect their Percy Pig tote bag. You could also pose for pictures with a slightly smaller human-filled version of the company’s well-known brand of chewy pig-shaped sweets.
Got to say they’ve done a good job of the re-fit. Re-using the Devenhams escalators and giving an industrial look to the ceilings.
It’s warm and bright. Colourful, cheery and oh what a food hall!!
I hear the flagship store will account for around 25 per cent of the retail SouthGate trade and will most certainly encourage additional footfall for its more modest neighbours.
To top it all, look what appeared in the sky this morning!! A real blue break in the clouds.
PS. Now everyone wants to know what M and S will do with their recently vacated home, which the company still has, as I understand it, more than 30 years of a lease to run.
Who will the new occupiers be? I was told M & S are currently talking with their landlords at B&NES to discuss its future.
A negative experience today at the store.
Bakery right by top entrance but tills far away for this person with reduced walking capacity.
Bad design! Had to hand back the breads