WORK will begin next month on Longbridge’s new Marks & Spencer which will be the company’s biggest store in the whole of the Midlands.
The 150,000 sq ft shop, due to open in time for Christmas next year, will bring with it more than 500 jobs and give the new £70million town centre a boost, making it more attractive to shoppers.
Mike Murray, senior development surveyor at St Modwen, said the flagship store, which is being built by Morgan Sindall, was indicative of the growing confidence retailers had in the regeneration at Longbridge.
Julie Ridley, regional manager at M&S, added: “This is a major investment for Marks & Spencer and our long-term lease shows our commitment to the area and the Longbridge regeneration project.
“We are already excited about welcoming shoppers to the store.”
Up to 350 jobs will be generated by the new M&S store and a further 150 will be created during the construction process.
Planning permission has also been granted for another 45,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant and café space and new multi storey customer car park.
The first phase of the town centre, which opened last year, includes Sainsbury’s, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Premier Inn and Beefeater alongside the £66million Bournville College, £2million Austin Park and award-winning landmark Park Point office building.
