Customers flock to opening of long-awaited new Marks & Spencer store in New Milton
IT was not just any Thursday morning for New Milton shoppers as they flocked to the long-awaited opening of the new Marks & Spencer Foodhall.
M&S mascot Percy Pig was on hand to welcome customers yesterday as the ribbon was cut by store manager Keith Caufield-Lawrence, alongside town mayor Cllr Keith Craze.
Boasting a fresh market feel across its 11,500sqft floorspace, the store offers a wide range of goods marked out by lavish neon letter signs.
This includes a bakery, fruit and vegetable section and a freezer section stocking produce ranging from sustainably sourced fish and seafood to family-friendly meals and ice creams.
The first 200 customers through the doors were offered M&S Golden Tickets, with the chance to win prizes ranging from a bag of Percy Pigs to a free shop with up to £200 in M&S vouchers to be won.
Two people were also surprised with a potted orchid from local flower supplier Double H Nurseries.
Mr Caufield-Lawrence said: “This new store will offer the great combination of value and quality M&S customers have come to trust from us over the past 138 years.
“This would not have been possible without the tremendous support from the local community and outstanding dedication from our colleagues.
“With our fabulous fresh features, we really feel as though this is a gamechanger for New Milton – inspiring customers to enjoy the overall shopping experience and we are certain customers are going to love doing their weekly shop with us.
“We definitely started as we mean to go on.”
There are 104 pay and display parking spaces behind the store, and customers’ parking fees can be redeemed if they spend more than £5.
Customers can also utilise a mobile Scan & Shop option via the M&S App, and a new digital Click and Collect service.
The store is open 8am-8pm Monday-Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays.
For more information visit its pages on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3Kaky2S and TikTok at https://bit.ly/3vDQ5VA
