If the planning application for The Point is successful, M&S will relocate from its existing Formby store. The existing store at The Cloisters is fundamentally too small to serve the Formby market, with limited space to provide only a small proportion of the range and lines of a modern M&S Foodhall. The new proposed development will provide a fit for the future M&S Foodhall which will retain M&S within the local community for the long term.
The new store will stock the full M&S food range, such as Plant Kitchen and Eat Well, which means that the company can provide a far enhanced, more enjoyable shopping environment for our customers within the area. If the planning application for The Point is successful, M&S will relocate from its existing Formby store. The existing store at The Cloisters is fundamentally too small to serve the Formby market, with limited space to provide only a limited proportion of the range and lines of a modern M&S Foodhall. The new proposed development will provide a fit for the future M&S Foodhall which will retain M&S within the local community for the long term. The new store will stock the full M&S food range, such as Plant Kitchen and Eat Well, which means that the company can provide a far enhanced, more enjoyable shopping environment for M&S customers within the area.
M&S first commenced trading as Penny Bazaar in Leeds market in 1884 by founders Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer and now retails from 1,497 stores globally and across 98 website platforms. The M&S brand, which is quintessentially British, operates in 62 international markets including the Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
The business employs over 70,000 employees across our stores, warehouse and distribution network and support centres. M&S serve nearly 30 million customers each year with c.80% of the population within a 20-minute drive of a large store with customers shopping across both the store and online channels.
M&S take pride in being one of the best retail employers in the UK with a host of employee benefits alongside market leading pay, pension, share buy and share save schemes, holiday buy to purchase additional days leave and celebration time. All colleagues get 20% discount across all the M&S brands.
There are travel incentives including season ticket loans, and cycle to work tax incentives alongside access to healthy lifestyle schemes such as Health Hero 24/7 access to a GP, gym discounts, cancer screening and healthy minds access to wellbeing activities and PAM Assist expert support, counselling, and mental health therapies. There are a range of flexible working policies and options for colleagues including job share, term time working and part time hours.
M&S run a Marks & Start initiative in associated with the Princes Trust to help break down barriers to work and create a better future for individuals who need extra assistance to access employment. Marks & Start is a successful internal employability scheme that helps people who are at a disadvantage in their job hunting.
The programme gives people an insight into a career in retail, but also creates a clear, accessible route into work. The current format of the programme has run since 2014, supporting hundreds of young people each year. M&S also work with brilliant programme partners and are humbled by the opportunity to meet such resilient and inspiring people, many of whom are now valued members of the M&S family.
In the July 2022 intake 79% of the 141 individuals who started the programme were offered a 12-week: fixed term contract within the business. Throughout 2021-22 81% of those who completed their work experience programme received a contract to work at M&S. M&S working with others is building a more inclusive and diverse workforce as a result.