Marks & Spencer's new store has opened Macclesfield.

Located in Barracks Mill Retail Park, the new food-only store opened a day after the old Marks and Spencer store shut on Mill Street.

Colleagues gathered at the store entrance on Wednesday morning with Store Manager and Macclesfield resident Lindsey Malone, who was joined by guest of honour, Percy Pig, to cut the ribbon and declare the store officially open. 

But there was another famous face to open the new supermarket just off The Silk Road, as former Take Me Out and Phoenix Nights funnyman Paddy McGuinness also visited to mark the occasion.

Also attending the celebrations was Upton Priory School's choir, who sung to customers as they entered the new store.

In a statement, Marks and Spencer said: "The bigger, better, fresher M&S Macclesfield store is designed with customers and local families at heart with a fresh, market-style Foodhall making shopping convenient and inspirational.

"At 12,000 sqft. the new store marks a big investment for M&S in Macclesfield.  

"The brand-new, bigger, better, fresher M&S Foodhall has a unique fresh-market feel for shoppers to enjoy.

"The new Foodhall will deliver trusted value for local customers and make it easier than ever for families to do their weekly shop at M&S Macclesfield.   

"Highlights include fresh displays brimming with great quality, trusted value produce from M&S Select Farms (brilliant value Fresh Market special offers on produce) and a show-stopping new M&S bakery offering a wide range of freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries throughout the day including the latest M&S Collect Sourdough loaves, crafted over 30 hours for an incredible flavour.

"Sure to be a must-have for Christmas, Macclesfield shoppers will be able to pick up the brand-new M&S Collection Christmas Sourdough which is packed with fried crispy onions, sage and cranberries, and topped with whole pumpkin seeds."

The store is the third to open in the Barracks Mill Retail Park following Aldi and Costa. KFC will open next week.

Other businesses opening the Barracks Mill Retail Park include The Gym and BP Pulse. 

Macclesfield local and M&S Food Ambassador, comedian and presenter, Paddy McGuinness, said: "I had a great time opening the new M&S Macclesfield today – the new store really is just incredible, and I was buzzing to experience all of the new features, meet local customers and taste the delicious food on offer! I couldn't be more excited to have the brand-new Foodhall on my doorstep in the run up to Christmas, I think I will be practically living in it!".

The store also contains an extensive cheese and wine range, the café which people were hoping to move over from Mill Street has not come to the new store.

Pedestrian access has seen residents criticise the new store, with just one rather hidden away path from from Black Lane (by the Hibel Road Tesco petrol station/exit) for those who wish to walk there. However, this is a negative lined to the whole retail park.

The new shop's customers will also be able to make the most of convenient ways to pay, with plenty of checkouts for speedy service, and a mobile "Scan & Shop" option available via the M&S App which lets M&S Sparks shoppers skip the queues altogether. Digital screens in store will also make it quicker and easier to Click & Collect orders from M&S.com, implying clothing can still technically be bought from the new store if ordered online. The store also takes cash.

The first 200 customers received golden tickets. Every golden ticket holder was guaranteed a win – whether it's a free bag of Percy Pigs or freshly baked cookies from the new M&S bakery, and to mark the occasion one lucky customer won a £200 M&S voucher!

Soaking up the opening day celebrations, Store Manager Lindsey Malone, who is exceptionally proud of the new store and her amazing team of colleagues, had this to say.

Lindsey said: "We're thrilled to open our brand-new store in Macclesfield today. The last few weeks have been spent putting the finishing touches to our new store and I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone in my team who has worked so hard to make sure everything is ready for our big opening day." 

"The store is an exciting investment in the future of M&S in Macclesfield, and I can't wait for our customers to explore all the new features that the store has to offer.

"As well as bringing our existing M&S Macclesfield team across to the new store, we're proud to introduce over 40 new recruits, who can't wait to meet everyone.

"Our amazing new, fresh-market feel Foodhall is the perfect place to shop your M&S favourites, we really do have the best of M&S here in Macclesfield for everyone to enjoy!"

The Macclesfield store's successful TikTok account will continue with the new store. It boasts 4.7million views and 18k comments. Comments include "M&S slaying tiktok" and "I love M&S TikTok" and a huge number of people tagged friends/ family, saying they need to make a trip to Macclesfield.

Their social media presence is led by 19-year-old Maxonian Ella Barnard, the 'Stores Social Champion' who inspires her colleagues, of all ages, to get involved – much to the delight of viewers!

They also have a Facebook page for customers to follow. M&S Macclesfield is one of over 600 M&S stores with their own social media accounts.

The new store comes with parking, and is located at SK10 2AY. It will be open from 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sundays.

The Barracks Mill Retail Park has been created by Cedar Invests. Critics have suggested the out-of-town development will negatively impact Macclesfield's high street, as evidenced by this M&S relocation.

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