M&S Rochdale Riverside opens on Monday
The department store will open as planned today but only the foodhall will be trading and there will none of the usual ceremonial fanfare laid on for a new site, M&S said in a statement.
The clothing and home sections will open “when government guidelines allow.”
On its first day the store will open at 8.30am, and from then on the store will be open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 6pm and on Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
The store will open the day after the existing M&S on Yorkshire Street closes on Sunday 5 April.
Simon Layton, M&S head of region for Lancashire and Cumbria, said: “Our new store at Rochdale Riverside will be open from Monday 6 April. The team has been working extremely hard to get the store ready to ensure we can offer locals everyday essentials and a wide range of fresh produce. We will also offer clothing and home products in the store, and these departments will open when government guidelines allow. In the meantime, we are focused on making sure our customers can get everything they need in our foodhall.
“In line with other M&S stores, to support the community we will have special opening hours in place for NHS and emergency services workers, as well as special hours for the elderly and vulnerable. Please visit M&S.com for the latest information and opening hours.”
In line with other M&S stores, the first hour of trading on certain days will be reserved for older and vulnerable customers, on Monday and Thursdays, and NHS and emergency services workers on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Car parking is available at the adjoined multi-storey car park, free of charge.
Developer Genr8 and investor Kajima have rescheduled the opening of the rest of the £80m shopping centre due to the virus. The 200,000 sq ft centre had been due to open on Friday 10 April.