Marks & Spencer Makes Grand Return to Putney High Street
After an eight-year hiatus that left the local community yearning for its presence, Marks & Spencer has officially reopened its doors on Putney High Street, sparking massive queues of eager shoppers stretching down the street. The highly anticipated return marks a significant moment for the South-West London district, with the store having originally served the Wandsworth area for an impressive 91 years before its closure.
Early Opening Surprises Locals
The store, located at 59 Putney High Street, was originally scheduled to reopen on April 1, but diligent efforts from workers—who were reportedly laboring well past 10pm on some evenings—allowed it to open five weeks early. This unexpected early launch only added to the excitement, drawing crowds from the early hours of Wednesday, February 25.
Operating hours have been set to accommodate the influx of customers:
- Today (Wednesday, February 25): 8am to 9pm
- From tomorrow onward: 7am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday
- Sundays: 11am to 5pm
Store Features and Community Impact
The newly reopened M&S boasts a comprehensive range of offerings designed to cater to all shopper needs. Key features include:
- A fully stocked foodhall with fresh bakery items
- Extensive menswear and womenswear sections
- Modern fitting rooms for customer convenience
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the store
- A floral department with plants and flowers
- A dedicated wine ordering section
Local MP Fleur Anderson was among the first to celebrate the reopening, sharing her excitement on social media. Sporting an all-blue outfit, she posted a video from the grand opening, stating, "Marks and Spencer is returning to Putney, it's really exciting. It first opened here 99 years ago, and you can see the queue building up here. Lots of people have been waiting for quite a long time. It's brilliant to see Marks and Spencer returning to the heart of Putney High Street."
Boost for the High Street
In another video filmed inside the store, MP Anderson emphasized the broader positive impact, noting, "It's great for the high street, it's great to have the jobs coming in here, it's great to have this beautiful looking store, and it just shows that Putney High Street really is on the up." This sentiment is particularly poignant given recent challenges faced by the area, including the closure of travel retailer WH Smith, which had contributed to concerns about the decline of local high streets.
The return of M&S is seen as a vital injection of vitality into Putney's retail landscape, offering not only shopping convenience but also employment opportunities and a renewed sense of community pride. As queues continue to form, it's clear that the wait has been well worth it for residents who have long cherished the store's presence in their neighborhood.
