Marks & Spencer reopens fitting rooms and in-store cafes
Marks & Spencer has reopened its in-store cafes and fitting rooms following the easing of lockdown restrictions this week.
In a statement, the retailer said hundreds of cafes across England and Wales have reopened to allow customers to have a sit-down meal with friends or family whilst doing the weekly shop.
The move follows the reopening of 32 cafes in Scotland on 26 April. This means the retailer now has 316 cafes open across the three nations. Meanwhile 13 M&S Cafes in Northern Ireland will continue to offer takeaway drinks until they can reopen on 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.”
M&S has also opened the doors to its fitting rooms at all of its UK clothing stores to enable customers to “try before they buy”. This follows a successful trial at the retailer’s Marble Arch and Pantheon stores in central London over the past three weeks.
Ali Grainger, head of clothing and 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.”
