Southgate Bath now home to new M&S flagship

British Land has announced that Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched its brand-new 83,000 sq ft flagship at SouthGate Bath. The retail-led destination in the city is asset, development, and property managed by British Land, as part of a JV with Aviva Investors.

Relocating from its former location in the city has allowed M&S to create a bespoke, four-floor concept with British Land at SouthGate, with key frontages on St Lawrence Street and Dorchester Street, the latter facing onto Bath Spa railway station. The offer includes an expansive fresh market-style foodhall, fashion offer spanning womenswear, menswear and kidswear, a 140-seat Coffee Shop and an impressive Beauty Hall with some of the country’s most popular brands, all in M&S’ renewal design format.

The opening of M&S is the culmination of a hugely successful 2025 for SouthGate, as more than a quarter of the destination committed to new leases. As part of that, 6 tenants carried out significant re-fits, to keep the offer and experience fresh and exciting, and SouthGate welcomed nearly 23 million visitors across the calendar year, a 7.5 percent uplift on 2024.

Alongside the 12 concluded deals in 2025, British Land has – with JV partner Aviva – continued to invest in SouthGate’s environment, completing car park improvements and the refurbishment of part of its office space at the scheme. The tenant community support ethos has also been exemplified by My Small World winning Independent Operator of the Year at the 2025 Revo awards, the application submitted by British Land, as the brand also benefitted from an upsize at SouthGate.

Laurence Budden, Senior Asset Manager at British Land, said: “The opening of M&S in isolation is a huge moment for SouthGate; the £6m invested by British Land and Aviva making it possible for us to have the largest store of its type in the South West, in doing so providing our visitors with the best possible experience with a much-loved brand. Put that against the backdrop of an incredible 2025, and we have a lot to celebrate. 2026 will be about building on that success, and we’re already in discussions with some really exciting new retailers that will only provide more reasons to visit and enjoy a day out in Bath.”

Ali Ivery, Regional Manager at M&S, added: “We have a fantastic history here in Bath and relocating to Southgate has allowed us to offer the very best of M&S food and fashion across four floors for our customers. The opening represents a significant multi-million-pound investment in the heart of the city centre and is one of 20 new or renewed stores we’re opening in the second half of this financial year as we reshape for growth. The team’s focus is now on delivering trusted value, exceptional quality and innovation for our customers.”

Cushman & Wakefield is the appointed letting agent for the scheme.

Image: Betty Bhandari Photography.