RETAIL giant Marks & Spencer have come bearing a gift of 70 new jobs as they revealed plans for the opening of their new Swindon store early next month.

From sales assistants to café staff, local people will feel the benefit of the new M&S Simply Food store at Mannington Retail Park, set to open to shoppers on Wednesday, January 15.

Store manager Chris Hughes and his staff will welcome customers into the store at 10am – giving them their first glimpse of the brand new M&S Simply Food.

It comes after John Lewis established itself in the town with an At Home store in 2010.

Next at Home followed last December to rejuvenate the once-run down retail park, while a Waitrose is nearing completion in nearby Wichelstowe.

Shoppers visiting M&S will be treated to a a complimentary glass of prosecco on opening day, as well as the chance to win a share of £1,000 in M&S Gift Cards with Jack FM between noon and 2pm.

The 9,000 sq ft store has created 70 new jobs and will offer almost 4,500 quality food and drink lines, including the Cook With range, the Count on Us and Fuller Longer healthy eating ranges and an extensive selection of beers, wines, champagnes and spirits.

The popular M&S ‘Dine In’ offers will feature in store and there will be a selection of flowers, cards and gift wrap available too.

Shoppers will be able to relax in the M&S Café, which will provide seating for 48, free WiFi access and Fairtrade tea and coffee, hot food and snacks.

An in-store Bakery will also offer a range of speciality breads, pastries and cakes, freshly baked on site each day.

In addition, the store will offer the popular Shop Your Way service, giving customers the choice of ordering from the M&S catalogue in-store or online, with the added benefit of free next day in-store delivery and collection.

Chris said: “We are delighted to be opening a Simply Food store at Mannington Retail Park, which will provide customers with a great range of quality food and drink, as well as a bakery and café.

“As the countdown to opening begins, we hope that people can join us on January 15 to help celebrate launch day, and see the new store for themselves.”

Speaking when the store was announced, Paul Briggs, the chief executive of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce group, which includes Swindon, Oxford and Reading, said: “Too many times we hear of people losing their jobs just before Christmas and the bad news that brings with it. But this is really great news.

“I am pleased that Marks & Spencer have shown how much confidence they have in Swindon and I am sure that things are gradually getting back to normal on the economic front.”

To view available jobs at M&S visit http://corporate.marksandspencer. com.