New Mark & Spencer store is 'strong vote of confidence' for Bristol city centre

The news that M&S is opening a new flagship store inside Cabot Circus is a 'strong vote of confidence' in the local economy in the city centre - that's the verdict from the man now in charge of running the city.

M&S announced today that they will be taking over the House of Fraser store in the heart of Cabot Circus, replacing the House of Fraser store.

Store bosses said the refurbishment and reopening will see £21 million invested, and will see M&S return to the city centre for the first time since the department store closed in Broadmead in January 2022.

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“We welcome the news that Marks & Spencer have decided to return to Bristol city centre, and I look forward to supporting their plans for a new store in Cabot Circus," said Cllr Dyer (Green, Southville). "This decision to take on a larger and very prominent site at the heart of our city’s retail centre is a strong vote of confidence in our local economy.

"In recent years the city centre retail sector has had to adapt to meet various challenges, but we are now seeing evident progress being made to return the sector to growth and the strengthening of the local offer. This is progress we wish to build upon and will continue to do so by working in partnership with local business leaders, community groups, our regional partners and others in the sector," he added.

Bristol Live broke the news of the M&S announcement earlier today, and the move will also see the House of Fraser store closing. Bristol Live has contacted House of Fraser about whether their store is closing completely or moving to another location, and a response is awaited.

The opening means M&S would be returning to the city centre after its store in Broadmead closed in January 2022 after 70 years. The chain still has a main outlet at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, as well as food stores at Imperial Park, Whiteladies Road, Avonmeads, Eastgate and Longwell Green.

“It’s brilliant to be announcing our return to Bristol city centre today,” said chief executive Stuart Machin. “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."