MARKS and Spencer bosses say controversial plans to shut Colchester’s historic High Street branch and open a store in Stanway has created 120 new jobs.
The supermarket chain is planning to withdraw from the city’s High Street after 91 years.
In April, M&S announced it would be closing the store and moving to Stane Retail Park, in Stanway, which is already home to big-name brands like B&Q and Aldi.
M&S told the Gazette the business would “double the size of its workforce in Colchester” with the opening of its new 80,000sq ft store.
The chain says it began a recruitment drive several months ago, receiving hundreds of applications for positions ranging from hospitality specialists to bakers.
The new store will feature a foodhall, clothing, home and beauty sections and 682 parking spaces outside the shop.
It will also include a 136-seat café and is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Kerry Soar, store manager, who has worked for M&S for 28 years, said: “The team are so excited to open the doors to the new store and can’t wait to see for themselves all the great new features and M&S products.
“We’re so pleased that we’ve already been able to create more than 120 new jobs for people in the area and it’s fantastic that our customers will also be greeted by the familiar faces of our existing colleagues when they transfer to join us in the coming weeks.
“If you’d like to join our team, please do apply online now.”
Campaigners fighting to keep the High Street store open met with bosses last week.
Maarten and Sarah Westera, who started the campaign, were joined by the Red Lion Books owner Peter Donaldson, Castle ward councillor Mark Goacher, Colchester BID manager Sam Good, and long-term Marks and Spencer customer Karen Maxwell.
Sir Bob Russell, Colchester’s High Steward, bought shares in the company in a bid to speak at its annual meeting.
He received a letter from M&S chairman Archie Norman offering a face-to-face meeting on a date to be agreed.
Sir Bob said: “Trying to keep M&S in Colchester High Street may be thought by many to be a lost cause, but as someone who never gives up on a just cause I take the view that while there is life there is hope.”
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