M&S has returned to Bristol city centre, this morning unveiling its brand-new 80,000 sq ft flagship store at Cabot Circus.

Spanning three floors, the full-line store delivers the very best of M&S Food, Fashion, Home and Beauty for customers - all in time for the run up to Christmas.

On the lower ground floor, customers can find a fresh market-style foodhall, with fresh produce from M&S’ Select Farm partners (1,200 based in the South West), an in-store bakery serving up the latest launches including the popular Peppermint Bark cookies, and Hot Chicken and Mai Sushi counters.

Customers can also take a pit-stop from browsing in the 200-seater Coffee Shop, delivering speedy service, barista-made coffee, and delicious food.

Festive menu highlights include the brand-new Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, filled with 8-hour slow-cooked British roast beef and the Christmas tree ginger cake, crowned with a white chocolate star.

Over two floors of fashion, there is plenty for customers to explore including M&S’ biggest ever in-store beauty offer to date. Across almost 3,000 sq ft, customers can find much-loved M&S brands Apothecary and Fresh Elements Skincare as well as third-party brands including Estee Lauder and Clinique.

In Womenswear, customers can find the latest Jaeger womenswear collection and partywear launches. This year, M&S has launched 15 different styles of the classic black party dress – starting from just £26 – and across the range, both the Velvet and Satin Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers are expected to be bestsellers.

In home, M&S x Kelly Hoppen’s latest homeware edit offers versatile and modern pieces, including the popular Christmas Joy 2 Wick Jar candle.

Meanwhile in Kidswear, there is a range of daywear essentials and festive partywear to choose from.

On the upper level of the store, customers will find the latest Autograph menswear collection, as well as a range of suits, perfect for dressing up ahead of the festive season.

M&S Cabot Circus is one of over 20 new or renewed stores that M&S is launching in the second half of this financial year. Bath Southgate, also a flagship full-line store, is set to open in February.

Long-serving colleague Stephen Bennett cut the ribbon this morning, followed by the official reveal of the store, with customers starting to queue early this morning from 7.30am.

Ali Ivery, Regional Manager at M&S, said:

"We have a long history here in Bristol, dating back to 1900, and so it is brilliant to be back today, with our brand-new 80,000 sq ft flagship Cabot Circus store. Over three floors, we have the very best of M&S Food, Fashion and Home waiting for customers, including our biggest ever in-store beauty offer. So, there is plenty to explore."

"It's fantastic to be making such a significant investment in the city and the opening has created over 150 new jobs. We have a great supplier base here and work with over 1,200 Select Farm partners across the region. Our focus now is on delivering trusted value, unbeatable quality and that touch of M&S magic for customers in the run up to Christmas and beyond."

Cabot Circus is owned and managed by Hammerson. Paul O’Brien, Director of Leasing and Commercialisation Performance at Hammerson, added:

“As the number one most requested brand by our customers, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome M&S back into the heart of Bristol. With queues of customers snaking around Cabot Circus, we know this retail giant will be a major boost to the destination and the city more generally."

"As a result of our ongoing investment, and with even more new brands launching next year, this is a golden moment for Cabot Circus as we continue to deliver a vibrant, multi-use destination at the centre of the community.”