Marks & Spencer has confirmed it will open its first ever store in the Scottish seaside town of Largs on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The announcement comes five years after the initial planning application was lodged.
Store details and location
The 9,000 sq ft food hall will be housed in the former Pearson's Garage on Main Street. M&S said the opening will bring its “great quality and trusted value” products back to the coastal town.
The store will feature the company's 'fresh-market style' concept, including an in-store bakery, fresh produce from select M&S farms, and dedicated wine and flower shops. A Click & Collect point for fashion, home and beauty orders will also be available.
Jobs and community response
Around 50 new jobs have been created through a local recruitment drive, covering customer service and operations roles. Store manager Mhairi McIntosh said: “It’s nearly time to open the doors in Largs, and we’re delighted to be joining the local community. We look forward to welcoming customers in August as we count down to opening day.”
Locals have expressed excitement on the dedicated M&S Largs Facebook page. One commenter wrote: "Brilliant news xxx." Another added: "Looking forward to it." A third said: "It’ll be a great success for sure!" A fourth enthused: "It’s going to be so good having an M&S in Largs!"
Background and investment
Plans for the Largs Food Hall were initially lodged with North Ayrshire Council on October 25, 2021. The project faced delays due to licensing, rising construction costs, and water and electricity grid issues.
Work began after M&S announced a £30 million investment into its Scottish estate. Half of that (£15 million) went into opening a new flagship store at Aberdeen's Union Square Mall, which replaced its original site on St Nicholas Street.
Future expansion
Glasgow Fort has also announced plans to expand its current M&S store by 32,000 sq ft, which would make it the largest M&S in Scotland and a new flagship for the retailer.
