M&S Aldergrove to close temporarily for major expansion creating up to 25 jobs

Shoppers using the M&S store at Aldergrove can expect a significantly larger food hall, hundreds of new products and up to 25 new jobs after the retailer confirmed plans for a major expansion.

The store will temporarily close at 6pm on Saturday 1 August while work is carried out, before reopening in the autumn following an extensive refurbishment.

Store set to double in size

The biggest change will see the existing M&S store expand into the neighbouring service station unit, effectively doubling its current size.

For customers, that means more choice and several new features, including a larger bakery, upgraded coffee-to-go facilities and, for the first time at the Aldergrove store, a frozen food range.

The retailer says the expanded shop will stock more than 2,000 additional products, including an enlarged M&S Food to Go selection of sandwiches and salads, while continuing to offer its popular ready meals, Collection Wood Fired pizzas and more than 100 everyday value grocery items.

Temporary closure from August

The current store will close at 6pm on Saturday 1 August to allow the work to begin.

M&S has not yet confirmed an exact reopening date but says customers can expect the transformed store to welcome shoppers back during the autumn.

All existing staff will continue to work during the refurbishment period and will be temporarily based at nearby M&S stores while construction is underway.

New jobs to be created

The expansion is also expected to create up to 25 new jobs, with recruitment and staff training already in progress.

Store manager David Brady said the investment would allow the retailer to offer customers a wider range of products in a modernised shopping environment.

“We are excited for work to get started to transform and improve the store for our customers. We will have more delicious products available, a brand-new look and feel and even more of the M&S quality, trusted value and innovation our customers expect.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back this autumn and we look forward to sharing an update on our re-opening date nearer the time.”

What shoppers need to know

During the closure, customers will need to use alternative M&S stores until the Aldergrove branch reopens.

The nearest full M&S Food store is at the Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey, while the retailer says it will announce the reopening date closer to the completion of the refurbishment.

Once finished, the expanded Aldergrove store will offer a significantly larger range of food products, improved facilities and additional jobs, making it one of the retailer’s most substantial convenience store upgrades in Northern Ireland in recent years.