The Leader of Harlow Council, Cllr Dan Swords, and the CEO of M&S, Stuart Machin, have today announced that an agreement of terms has been signed for a new full-line food and fashion store in Harlow.
The new store will be a two-storey, purpose-built flagship located on Edinburgh Way, on a site currently used as a driving training centre. The new 50,000 square foot store will offer an extensive Marks & Spencer product range, including food, clothing and general merchandise. The store will be supported by its own 380-space car park, direct bus routes and an improved road layout.
The agreement follows two years of detailed discussions and close collaboration between Harlow Council and M&S. M&S initially explored opening a food-only store. However, following sustained engagement and the council making the case for Harlow’s growth and demonstrating the regeneration now underway, the retailer agreed to bring a full-line food and fashion store to the town.
This outcome reflects the council’s determination to secure the return of Marks & Spencer and demonstrates the growing confidence that major national brands now have in Harlow’s future.
The new store will deliver significant economic benefits, including the creation of 200–300 new local jobs, as well as increased footfall, additional spending within the local economy and wider benefits for surrounding businesses.
Subject to planning approval, the current programme is targeting an opening next year.
This announcement represents a key marker of confidence in Harlow, reinforcing its position as an increasingly attractive destination for investment and underlining the momentum behind the town’s regeneration ambitions.
Announcing the deal, Cllr Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“We promised the people of Harlow we would bring a full-line M&S back to our town - and today we have delivered. This week we signed an agreement for a new flagship, purpose-built Marks and Spencer food and fashion store for Harlow.
“This is a huge moment for our town and a real vote of confidence in Harlow’s future. Many doubted it could be done, but we made the case to M&S for two years and they have seen the ambition, growth and regeneration happening here.
“Every day I say we are Building Harlow’s Future – and today we are proving it with new jobs, new investment and the UK’s most loved brand choosing Harlow.
“We are delivering the biggest regeneration programme in the country and today’s news is the greatest proof of that fact.”
Commenting on the agreement, Stuart Machin, CEO of M&S, said:
“We are delighted to confirm we have signed an agreement on terms for a new state of the art Marks and Spencer store in Harlow.
“The proactive steps taken by Dan Swords and his colleagues to attract new investment in Harlow and demonstrate the growth prospects for the area have been pivotal in our decision.
“We look forward to creating 200-300 new jobs and a fantastic store bringing food and fashion to the area and supporting the Council in its work to renew Harlow.”