Date announced for opening of Matlock's new M&S foodhall

The old Co-op building in Matlock which is to become a Marks and Spencer's store.

The retail giant’s new store, which will be situated in the former Co-operative premises at Crown Square, on Bakewell Road, will officially launch on Wednesday May 4, at 10am.

The 9,400 sq. ft. foodhall will feature 5,000 food and drink lines including seasonal fresh produce and award- winning beers, wines and spirits, along with a bakery selling speciality breads, pastries and cakes freshly baked in-store

There will also be a 25-seat M&S Coffee to Go, offering Fairtrade tea and coffee to drink in or takeaway.

Store manager Nicola Vallance said: “M&S Matlock is at the heart of the local community, situated on the main high street. We will have 60 members of staff – including 25 employees from the former Co-op – and we’re delighted to have been able to recruit such a large number of people from the immediate area.

“We are looking forward to revealing a fantastic choice of products available for our customers – from some of our traditional favourites, to a selection of products from our new range, Spirit of Summer, which includes Rainforest Supergrain & Avocado Salad, Posh Puppies in Blankets and Chilloumi Cheese Kebabs.”

Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of the popular ‘Shop Your Way’ service which gives customers the option to have their M&S.com orders delivered to the store for free.

I’m looking forward to welcoming customers to the store at 10am on Wednesday May 4,” added Nicola, who has over a decade of experience and was previously manager of M&S’s Crystal Peaks store in Sheffield.

“I’m confident our extensive product range, along with our Shop Your Way offering, will appeal to locals, as well as those in surrounding areas.”

Work has been taking place to pave the way for the arrival of M&S. The closure in early February of the rooftop car park, owned by Derbyshire Dales District Council, and stairwells linking the car park to Bakewell Road, formed the initial phase of a three-month programme of improvements part-funded by the council.

The renovations included the complete resurfacing and remarking of the parking area, and the division and fitting out of the existing store into two units, with the main one being occupied by M&S.

In October last year the district council opted to retain ownership of the supermarket site and improve the rooftop car park rather than take up M&S’s offer to buy the site outright .

This included the supermarket, existing roof top car park, former bus station and market hall accommodation.

Councillors felt there was a financial risk of exchanging a major income stream for a single capital receipt.

The new store will be open Monday to Saturday between 8am and 8pm, and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays.