Bolton

M&S to expand and create flagship store on major Greater Manchester retail park

Work is expected to start later this year.

Emily Sergeant - 30th January 2025

M&S has announced expansion plans to create a regional flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park.

Only a couple of years after the major retailer permanently closed the doors to its multi-floored store in Bolton town centre back in April 2023, citing changing shopping habits and sparking widespread concerns about the town’s high street, M&S has now revealed grand plans to expand its Middlebrook branch.

The M&S at Middlebrook – which is the largest retail park in the UK – became the only store in the borough following the town centre closure.

While the building on Deansgate in Bolton has remained vacant ever since its closure nearly two years ago, ahead of the anticipated demolition and redevelopment of the town’s Crompton Place shopping centre, it’s not the only site set to receive an upgrade.

M&S will be expanding into two vacant units, including the former Wilko unit, at the Horwich-based retail park.

M&S to expand and create a flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park / Credit: Google Maps

Developers Orbit Developments is working with M&S to relocate Boots, which is the other unit which M&S will expand into, and on top of this, a small extension built will also be built onto the back.

Alternative premises have been offered to Boots, according to developers, and they expect the company will stay at Middlebrook.

Set to be a “flagship” store for the region following the redevelopment, Orbit Developments says the new M&S will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to the retail park, and will benefit both customers and the wider community.

More than 100 new jobs will also be created.

“This new brand-defining M&S full line store will significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers in the area and strengthen the retail offering for Bolton at Middlebrook, while creating around 108 new jobs and offering a boost to the local economy,” Orbit Developments said in a statement.

Expansion work is expected to start later in 2025, with the new store expected to open to the public in December 2026.

M&S says it plans to continue trading throughout the redevelopment.

Featured Image – Google Maps