M&S joins major Chorley development

Iconic retailer Marks and Spencer has become the second high profile business to sign on to Chorley's new £12m town centre redevelopment.

Chorley Council announed that the M&S Foodhall will join Reel Cinemas in the new eight-unit development.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “The news that Marks and Spencer has signed its contract is a major boost for the development and for the town centre as a whole.

“We’ve all seen in the media that new store openings are at a premium so for Marks and Spencer to choose Chorley shows they have a lot of confidence in what we are doing."

The extension to Market Walk shopping centre, being built by Eric Wright Construction, will see eight new units created including the two taken up by M&S and Reel Cinemas.

Restaurant and bar chain Loungers has already publicly committed to joining the development too with negotiations continuing on all the units with a range of businesses including a high street restaurant chain, a high quality regional leisure/restaurant operator and a national gym chain.

Rob Morray, head of property planning at Marks and Spencer, said: “As we transform M&S we’re creating a conveniently located network of food stores that offer customers great food and a next-day collect in store service for clothing and home purchases.

“As part of this work we’re looking forward to bringing a new Marks and Spencer to the North West by opening a Foodhall in Chorley." The shopping centre extension is due to open in time for Christmas trading in 2019.