Merry Christmas in store from M&S

Princes Gate, M&S Development Mumps

THIS is not just a Christmas present, its an M&S Christmas present.

The retail giant has spread festive cheer across Oldham by signing on the dotted line to make its move to the town official.

The 130-year-old high street retailer has now exchanged contracts with the council on a move to the brand new Prince’s Gate development at Oldham Mumps.

M&S is to become the anchor tenant at the regeneration scheme, to be based next to the Mumps Metrolink stop, which was unveiled last month and is set to open in 2017.

Prince’s Gate will feature 150,000 sq ft of extra retail space, up to 800 homes and around 700 car parking spaces.

M&S will open a 51,000 sq ft clothing, home and food store on the current Park and Ride site at Mumps with a replacement car park to be built across the road.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “We never doubted it would happen but it’s a really positive milestone today to be able to officially confirm Marks & Spencer is coming to Oldham.

“M&S is a fantastic authentic brand and it is obvious why we’ve worked so hard to get them here. Our market research overwhelmingly told us they are the favourite missing High Street store people wanted to see here and we’ve now delivered that.

An M&S spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have now exchanged contracts for a full line store in the Prince’s Gate development and look forward to progressing plans in the near future.”
To read a full version of this story follow links to the e-Chron digital edition or buy the Chronicle.