M&S has restored two of its most popular in-store services to help its customers get back to doing the things they enjoy most in-store: meeting friends socially and trying on outfits. From May 17, hundreds of cafes across England & Wales will re-open for dine-in, meaning customers can finally once again enjoy a sit-down meal with friends or family whilst doing the weekly shop.
With its refreshed summer menu (which includes 27 new or upgraded products), children’s meal deal, and fantastic value on offer, the M&S Café is the perfect place for families and friends of all ages to socialise and enjoy a coffee, cake or sit-down meal.
The reopenings in England & Wales add to the 32 cafes in Scotland that have been open since 26 April in line with devolved government guidance, meaning from today a total of 316 cafes across the three nations are now fully open to customers. 13 M&S Cafes in Northern Ireland will continue to offer takeaway drinks until they’re also able to reopen next week (Mon 24 May).
Jason Ansere, Barista at M&S Marble Arch said: “For many customers, visiting the M&S Café is more than just fulfilling a need; it’s a key part of the shopping experience, so we’re delighted to be able to finally open our doors to our café customers again. Whether they’re popping in for a firm favourite or one of our brand-new summer specials, we can’t wait to welcome them in and see our café looking like its usual self again.”
Fitting rooms are also returning - meaning customers can once again try before they buy and continue to shop with confidence at M&S. M&S is reopening the fitting rooms at all of its UK Clothing stores, with each store operating set times of 10.00-16.00 daily and implementing a number of hygiene measures to keep everyone safe and well. This includes:
- Asking customers to sanitise their hands before entering the fitting room.
- Regular cleaning of each individual lockable cubicle.
- A friendly host on hand at all times to admit customers into each cubicle and ensure social distancing.
Their reopening follows a successful trial at two stores - Marble Arch and Pantheon on Oxford St – over the past three weeks, from which M&S has taken valuable learnings and customer feedback.
Ali Grainger, Head of Clothing & Home Retail at M&S said: “Since reopening last month, it’s been fantastic seeing customers returning to our stores wanting to reignite the experience and fun of shopping once again. With events, holidays and hopefully a summer full of sunshine just around the corner, people are really starting to think about their wardrobe, and as such, they want to try before they buy - so we’re delighted that they’re now able to, with all the necessary measures in place to keep them safe and well.”
