M&S to take over Debenhams and open huge ‘mega store’ in Trafford Centre

A huge new M&S ‘mega store’ and food hall is set to open in the old Debenhams unit in the Trafford Centre.

The retailer revealed it would be taking over the 135,000 sq ft Debenhams unit in the Trafford Centre in a statement.

The unit has been empty since 2021, with M&S making the move from its existing 87,000 sq ft store already located in the shopping centre.

M&S / Facebook

Simon Layton, regional manager for M&S, said in a statement: “We’re really excited to announce our plans to move to a brand new, bigger, better M&S store in the Trafford Centre.

“The new M&S Trafford Centre store will offer customers a much bigger range of M&S products across a fresh market-style food hall, a spacious clothing, home and beauty department, and a brand new M&S café.”

He added: “This major investment in Greater Manchester is part of rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores in the right locations to offer our customers a brilliant shopping experience.”

All of the current M&S staff at the Trafford Centre will be transferred to the new mega store when it opens its doors.

Robert Wade / Flickr

The retailer has said that the new store will open later this year, but an official date has not been confirmed yet,

In regards to the empty Debenhams store on Market Street in the city centre, work on that is meant to begin this year.

The company behind the huge redevelopment of the former Manchester Debenhams issued a big update on the project late last year – read more here.