This is not just any store! Fforestfach M&S unveils fresh new look

The Foodhall’s fresh new look is part of a significant investment in South Wales, with Store Manager Darcie Price and long serving colleague Allison Hart, who is celebrating 42 years of service, declaring the Foodhall officially ‘reopen’, cutting the ribbon alongside Percy Pig.

Customers were invited to explore the bigger, better, fresher store and meet local Welsh suppliers, whose brilliant products are featured in M&S stores across the UK, with samples of whisky, Brecon gin and tonics from Penderyn, alongside Shirgar butter from Castle Dairies enjoyed by many.

To keep the celebrations and excitement going, saxophonist, Darren, and singer, Sam Crouch, performed for customers throughout the day.

The modern, neon lit Fforestfach Foodhall has a fresh-market feel, with highlights including fresh displays brimming with great quality, trusted value produce from M&S Select Farms, a show-stopping new bakery offering freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries throughout the day (and, of course, the famous M&S Yumnuts™!), and a dedicated M&S Wine Shop featuring an award-winning selection of popular favourites in the M&S Classics range, best-in-class bottles in the M&S Collection and new varieties to discover from unexpected locations in the much-loved “Found” range.

And with a wide range of M&S Remarksable products – including Super Soft sliced bread, RSPCA Assured fresh milk, and beef mince from trusted M&S Select Farmers – the new Foodhall will deliver great quality and trusted value for local customers.

In addition, there are new digital Click and Collect points, increased self-service tills and an expanded frozen section – all making the shopping experience more convenient for local families.

Darcie Price, Store Manager at M&S Fforestfach, said: “We’re delighted to welcome local suppliers, Penderyn and Castle Dairies along with entertainers, and customers to store this morning to officially re-open our Foodhall. We’ve been counting down to this day for a long time, our whole team has been working really hard to deliver this fantastic new look and it’s been great to see so many of the local community here to support us. The brand-new design, with exciting additions like our new M&S Bakery and Wine Shop, marks a significant investment by M&S in the local area and all our colleagues are really excited to welcome our customers in store so they can see all the great improvements we’ve made.”

The store has been designed with the Welsh customer in mind, alongside delicious Welsh product-lines, eagle-eyed visitors will be able to spot Swansea Castle depicted on a large in-store mural, with the Welsh phrase, ‘Mae eich siop newydd’, featuring on the shopping bags.

Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn Distillery, who supply M&S with whisky and gin from Brecon Beacons in South Wales, and were one of the suppliers represented today, said: “We are very proud to have been supplying our Single Malt Welsh Whisky and gins to M&S for 12 years and to be here today. Penderyn Distillery has a wonderful history in Wales and was started when a group of friends decided to bring back distilling to the country, after it had been absent for 100 years. We love being a supplier to M&S and look forward to continuing our fruitful relationship. We’re delighted to have been part of the reopening and it was fantastic to meet some of our local Fforestfach customers.”

As part of the unveiling celebration, Percy Pig was on-hand to welcome shoppers to the store as the team handed out 200 golden tickets to the first customers through the door. Where every golden ticket holder was guaranteed a win – whether it was a free bag of Percy Pigs or freshly baked cookies from the M&S bakery, and to mark the occasion one lucky customer won a £200 M&S voucher!

Of course, with Easter fast approaching local shoppers will be excited to see an extensive range of great value, seriously delicious Easter eggs, hot cross buns and more. Plus, especially for the occasion, a new limited edition Colin the Caterpillar will delight shoppers – Easter Chick meets Colin the Caterpillar™. Perfect for local families, M&S Pontarddulais is offering a Family Dine In for just £20 – perfect for a roast on the big day. The deal includes one main and three sides, featuring the highest quality meats (and vegetarian options too) such as Slow Cooked British Lamb Shoulder.

The Foodhall’s top to bottom transformation represents a significant investment in South Wales’ local economy and comes following the retailer’s recent announcement that it plans to invest c.£500 million in its store rotation programme, creating over 3400 new jobs nationwide.