Wates Builds On 20 Year M&S Relationship With Fit‑Out Appointment

Marks and Spencer at the Stane Retail Park in Colchester Wates Smartspace has been appointed to deliver a full‑line fit‑out on behalf of Marks and Spencer (M&S) at the brand new £60m Stane Retail Park in Colchester.

The new contract adds to Wates Smartspace’s existing project portfolio on behalf of M&S, which to‑date has seen the business deliver 220 food hall projects as well as 50 full-line stores across the retailer’s portfolio.

Wates Smartspace’s work at Stane Retail Park will include the fit‑out of M&S’s new two-floor store, comprising a 16,000 sq. ft. food hall, 44,000 sq. ft. of clothing and home retail space and a 3,000 sq. ft. cafe.

The appointment follows a period of engagement between Wates Smartspace, M&S and Stane Retail Park developers, with Wates supporting M&S with project feasibility and agreeing of shell specification since 2017.

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Building work on the new Stane Retail Park is currently underway and will see the creation of a total of 173,000 sq. ft. retail space.

Scott Camp, Managing Director of Wates Smartspace, commented: “Having worked on behalf of M&S for 20 years, we have a unique working relationship that enables us to understand their evolving consumer offer and ensure that we deliver a first class fit-out that represents the quality synonymous with their brand.

“Our team is now on site at Stane Retail Park having completed a design process for the fit-out programme, throughout which we have worked collaboratively with M&S to offer a turnkey service to facilitate efficient project delivery.”