Marks & Spencer (M&S) has continued its expansion across London with the opening of two new food halls and plans for further store developments during 2026. The move forms part of a broader programme that will see 10 new and improved London stores introduced alongside upgrades to several existing locations.
According to reports, the retailer has already opened new food halls in Tooting Broadway and Tottenham Court Road, while additional sites in Sydenham and Elephant and Castle are scheduled to follow later this year. At the same time, M&S is progressing refurbishment projects at six established London branches.
New Food Halls Strengthen M&S Presence across London
The first of the newly opened stores began trading in Tooting Broadway on 27 May. The 8,900-square-foot food hall is located on Mitcham Road and marks M&S’s return to the area after an absence of 18 years.
A second food hall opened on Tottenham Court Road on 9 June. According to GB News, the branch has moved from number 55 to 15-17 Tottenham Court Road, placing it closer to the Underground station. The retailer said the new location is 45 per cent larger than its previous store and includes an in-store bakery and coffee counter. Both locations operate as food halls and form part of M&S’s convenience grocery network in the capital.
Two further openings are planned before the end of the year. According to the same source, a new branch at Bell Green Retail Park in Sydenham is expected to open in September. Another store, located within The Elephant Development in Elephant and Castle, is scheduled to launch during the autumn or winter period. The latest openings follow plans announced by the retailer last year to open 200 new stores. M&S said it had already opened 15 new locations across the UK during 2026.
Refurbishment Programme Accompanies Wider Investment Strategy
Alongside the new stores, M&S is carrying out major refurbishment works at six London branches.
The retailer’s Whetstone store reopened in April after redevelopment work was completed. Further refurbishment projects are under way at the Bankside store on Southwark Street and at the Pantheon Oxford Street location, with both expected to be completed during the summer.
According to GB News, the upgraded Oxford Street store will include dedicated areas for menswear, kidswear, lingerie and homeware on its upper floors. Work is also continuing at the Richmond branch, where refurbishment is expected to finish later in the year.
Commenting on the company’s London investment programme, M&S operations director Sacha Berendji said: “London has always been a special place for M&S, growing from penny bazaars in the early 20th century into fresh Foodhalls like the one in Brixton we reopened last year.” He added: “Our pipeline of stores demonstrates our continued investment in London, and we will continue to bring the very best of M&S to customers from Brixton to Barnet for years to come.”
Separately, Birmingham Live reported that M&S has launched a new initiative called Not Just Any Career, which will create 1,000 training places for young people across the UK and Ireland. The programme is aimed primarily at people aged 18 to 24 and will focus on leadership skills, workplace experience and routes into retail careers, with no degree required for applicants.
