Post by Kev on Apr 8, 2004 8:01:22 GMT -5
More good news for South Liverpool........
MARKS & Spencer yesterday announced it is to open a foodstore in Speke just days after the opening of its first clothes-only store on the New Mersey Retail Park.
The group has struck a deal to take over the premises currently occupied by Reid Furniture.
Reid is to move its showroom within Speke following negotiations with its landlord to position Marks & Spencer on the prestigious site.
Last night M&S said it hoped to open its Simply Food store, spanning 9,000 square feet, this autumn. It will start fitting out the new store next month.
The company admitted it wanted a traditional retail and food store at the New Mersey Retail Park, but settled on a clothes-only outlet because planning conditions prevented food sales at the unit it has leased for its clothes store.
The Reid site has food consent which means the company can comply with planning regulations, even though the two buildings will be in separate parts of the retail park.
A Marks & Spencer spokeswoman said: "We are delighted to be able to announce a food outlet at Speke.
''The site we have acquired has its own car park which will make it easier for our customers."
The store is likely to create dozens of new jobs in addition to the 150 already taken on at the clothes store.
Reid Furniture is currently looking for new locations within the area for a new store.
All nine staff from the New Mersey Retail Park site will be relocated to existing showrooms in the North West, including the nearby Chester and Bolton sites. The store will close its doors to the public on Tuesday, May 4.
Alan Marnie, managing director of Reid Furniture, said: "We've been delighted with the Speke showroom since we opened in 2002, but the very generous offer came out of the blue and simply was too good to turn down.
"We're pleased that all staff will be accommodated within the business and we will be using the unexpected capital to reinvest in our existing showrooms across the region.
"We want to reassure all our customers that this development does not affect any orders they currently have placed with Reid Furniture and to this end I have written to all of our customers personally."
Customer details and orders have already been transferred to Reid Furniture's Chester showroom.
MARKS & Spencer yesterday announced it is to open a foodstore in Speke just days after the opening of its first clothes-only store on the New Mersey Retail Park.
The group has struck a deal to take over the premises currently occupied by Reid Furniture.
Reid is to move its showroom within Speke following negotiations with its landlord to position Marks & Spencer on the prestigious site.
Last night M&S said it hoped to open its Simply Food store, spanning 9,000 square feet, this autumn. It will start fitting out the new store next month.
The company admitted it wanted a traditional retail and food store at the New Mersey Retail Park, but settled on a clothes-only outlet because planning conditions prevented food sales at the unit it has leased for its clothes store.
The Reid site has food consent which means the company can comply with planning regulations, even though the two buildings will be in separate parts of the retail park.
A Marks & Spencer spokeswoman said: "We are delighted to be able to announce a food outlet at Speke.
''The site we have acquired has its own car park which will make it easier for our customers."
The store is likely to create dozens of new jobs in addition to the 150 already taken on at the clothes store.
Reid Furniture is currently looking for new locations within the area for a new store.
All nine staff from the New Mersey Retail Park site will be relocated to existing showrooms in the North West, including the nearby Chester and Bolton sites. The store will close its doors to the public on Tuesday, May 4.
Alan Marnie, managing director of Reid Furniture, said: "We've been delighted with the Speke showroom since we opened in 2002, but the very generous offer came out of the blue and simply was too good to turn down.
"We're pleased that all staff will be accommodated within the business and we will be using the unexpected capital to reinvest in our existing showrooms across the region.
"We want to reassure all our customers that this development does not affect any orders they currently have placed with Reid Furniture and to this end I have written to all of our customers personally."
Customer details and orders have already been transferred to Reid Furniture's Chester showroom.
