Marks & Spencer plan massive new store in Preston (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Marks & Spencer plan massive new store in Preston

Retail giants Marks & Spencer have been confirmed as the second anchor store for Preston’s £750million Tithebarn scheme.

The Preston Tithebarn Partnership - a joint venture between developers Grosvenor and Lend Lease - made the announcement just days after M&S re-opened its newly refurbished Fishergate store.

Marks & Spencer will relocate to a new 150,000 sq ft store, more than double the size of its existing location, when the development opens in 2014.

Anthony Gill, project director at Preston Tithebarn Partnership, said: "We are delighted to have secured M&S as the second anchor.

“Their commitment to Preston Tithebarn underlines our confidence in the scheme and its ability to attract some of the best retailers operating in the UK.

“We want to create a retail mix that increases choice for local shoppers and attracts people into the city currently favouring other destinations."

The new was also welcomed by Barbara McAlister, manager at the Fishergate store.

She said: “"The Preston Tithebarn scheme will enable us to further strengthen our offer in Preston with a fresh new shopping environment.

“The new store will also offer enhanced career opportunities for our current team in Preston, who will be able to transfer to Preston Tithebarn with us in 2014.”

Jim Carr, Chief Executive of Preston City Council said: "This is excellent news for the city and for Preston Tithebarn. Marks & Spencer is one of the UK's leading retailers and for them to have the confidence to invest and expand in Preston is a fantastic boost for the city.

“You could not wish for better anchor stores than Marks & Spencer and John Lewis and we are looking forward to moving on to the next stage of the Preston Tithebarn development."

Planning applications for the massive city centre redevelopment scheme are set to be submitted in the coming months.