Marks & Spencer Returns to Tooting Broadway Food Store 2025

Key Points

• Marks & Spencer has reopened a brand-new Simply Food store on Tooting Broadway, ending an 18-year absence from the area
• The new branch opened on Wednesday, 27 May 2025, welcoming customers for the first time since the retailer left
• The Tooting Broadway reopening is part of M&S’s wider £90 million London expansion plan
• M&S plans to open six new food halls across London (Clapham Common, Covent Garden, Fulham Broadway, Putney, New Malden, Leytonstone) and refurbish 11 existing stores
• The expansion will add approximately 70,000 sq ft of new retail space across the capital
• Around 450 new jobs are expected to be created through the London rollout
• The Tooting Broadway store marks M&S’s return to south London after nearly two decades
• The retail giant is aiming to double the size of its food business in London
• M&S has identified nearly 200 “wish list” locations in London for future independent food outlets
• The company currently intends to open 20 new or refurbished outlets between November and March, generating 800 employment opportunities nationwide

Tooting (South London News) June 1, 2026 – Tooting Broadway is once again home to a Marks & Spencer Simply Food store, as the retail giant reopens its doors in south London after an 18-year absence. The new branch began welcoming customers on Wednesday, 27 May 2025, marking a significant milestone in M&S’s broader strategy to expand its food presence across the capital, as reported by our sister title London Now.

As reported by London Now, the opening forms part of M&S’s wider London expansion plans, which include additional new stores and refurbishments across the capital, where further details of the rollout can be read. The retailer’s return to Tooting Broadway is particularly notable given the area’s strong residential population and excellent transport links via Tooting Broadway Underground station on the Northern Line.

How large is Marks & Spencer’s London expansion investment?

Marks & Spencer has announced a £90 million investment to expand and upgrade its store portfolio across London, with six brand-new food halls and 11 enhanced stores set to open or relaunch in the coming years, according to BDCE Magazine.

The retail giant will add around 70,000 sq ft of new space through the launch of food halls in Covent Garden, Leytonstone, Clapham Common, Putney, New Malden, and Fulham Broadway—subject to planning permission.

As reported by Grocery Gazette, Marks and Spencer revealed it is to open a fleet of new food halls across London as part of the £90 million investment drive.

The high street retailer announced it will launch six new food halls in Clapham, Covent Garden, Fulham Broadway, Putney, New Malden, and Leytonstone, while a further eleven stores are being renewed across London, including a full refresh of the Pantheon on Oxford Street.

Which locations are included in M&S’s new food hall rollout?

The proposed plans include seven existing food halls in Brooklands, Islington, Brent Cross, Whetstone, Wimbledon, Chiswick, and Clapham South that are also part of the development strategy, UK Quality Food Awards reported. Together, these developments will expand M&S’s London foodhall space by more than 70,000 square feet.

As reported by Marks & Spencer’s corporate press release, the brand-new Covent Garden foodhall will be followed by two additional openings in November, located by Clapham Common and on Fulham Broadway. The company plans to launch these new food halls strategically across London’s high-footfall areas with strong transport connections.

What jobs will M&S’s London expansion create?

Marks and Spencer announced the ambitious £90 million investment plan aiming to enhance fresh food offerings, expand store space by 70,000 square feet, and create 450 new jobs, according to UK Quality Food Awards. The employment opportunities will span retail staff, store management, and supply chain roles across the new and refurbished locations.

As reported by Yahoo Finance, the retailer currently intends to introduce 20 new or refurbished M&S outlets between November and March, generating 800 employment opportunities nationwide. This represents a significant boost to local employment in communities where new stores open.

How does M&S intend to grow its food business in London?

Marks and Spencer is “aiming to double the size of its food business” with several existing stores, including a flagship Oxford Street location, My London South reported on Facebook.

The retailer sees London as a critical market for its food division, with nearly 50% of 500 potential nationwide sites situated in or near the capital.

As reported by Yahoo Finance, Marks & Spencer has unveiled a “wish list” featuring nearly 200 locations in London where it aspires to establish independent food outlets. The retailer says it wants sites with good transport links and strong footfall seven days a week.

When did Marks & Spencer originally leave Tooting Broadway?

Marks & Spencer’s return to Tooting Broadway marks the retailer’s return to the area after an 18-year absence, as reported by London Now.

The original store closure left a gap in food retail provision for Tooting Broadway’s residents, who previously relied on the M&S Simply Food outlet for convenient grocery shopping.

The new branch represents a modernised format compared to the original store, featuring M&S’s latest Simply Food store design with enhanced fresh food ranges, ready meals, and specialty products that have become central to the retailer’s food strategy in recent years.

What does the Tooting Broadway store offer customers?

The new Tooting Broadway Simply Food store offers customers the full range of M&S food products, including fresh produce, sandwiches, salads, hot food, bakery items, alcoholic beverages, and specialty ranges such as M&S Fine Wines and the award-winning Food Halls collection.

The store format is designed for convenience, targeting commuters, local residents, and shoppers using the nearby underground station.

As reported by London Now, the opening forms part of M&S’s wider London expansion plans, which include additional new stores and refurbishments across the capital.

The store’s location on Tooting Broadway provides easy access for customers travelling from across south London and neighbouring boroughs.

Background: Marks & Spencer’s London Food Expansion Strategy

Marks & Spencer’s decision to return to Tooting Broadway after 18 years is embedded within a broader strategic shift in the retailer’s food business.

The £90 million investment announced in April 2025 represents one of the most significant retail expansion plans in London’s shopping sector in recent years.

The expansion strategy focuses on food halls and Simply Food stores rather than traditional department stores, reflecting changing consumer shopping habits.

M&S has identified London as a priority market, with nearly half of its 500 potential nationwide expansion sites located in or near the capital.

The company’s focus on food reflects M&S’s broader transformation under recent leadership, with food sales becoming an increasingly important revenue stream. The retailer aims to double the size of its food business in London through this expansion.

Prediction: How This Development Will Affect South London Residents and Shoppers

The reopening of Marks & Spencer in Tooting Broadway and the wider London food hall expansion will likely have several tangible effects on South London residents and shoppers over the coming years.

South London residents will gain improved access to convenient grocery shopping with the return of M&S Simply Food to Tooting Broadway after 18 years. The store’s location near Tooting Broadway Underground station means commuters and local residents will have a reliable option for fresh food, ready meals, and specialty products without travelling to neighbouring areas.

The expansion will also increase competition in South London’s food retail market. With M&S entering or re-entering areas like Tooting, Clapham Common, Putney, and New Malden, existing supermarkets will face pressure to maintain competitive pricing and product quality. This competition typically benefits consumers through better value and service.

Employment Opportunities

The creation of 450 new jobs across London will provide employment opportunities for local residents, particularly in retail, customer service, and store management roles.

For South London specifically, the Tooting Broadway store and other new openings in the area will likely prioritise hiring from the local community, offering part-time and full-time positions accessible to residents without requiring long commutes.

Impact on High Street Vitality

M&S’s investment signals confidence in London’s high streets and may encourage other retailers to invest in South London locations. The presence of a major brand like M&S can act as an anchor, attracting additional footfall to surrounding businesses and contributing to the overall vitality of shopping areas like Tooting Broadway.

Potential Pressure on Rent and Property Values

Increased retail investment in an area can sometimes lead to upward pressure on commercial rents, which may affect smaller independent businesses. While M&S’s presence brings benefits, local independent food shops and cafes in Tooting Broadway may face heightened competition from the established retailer’s brand recognition and buying power.

Improved Product Range and Quality

Shoppers in South London will gain access to M&S’s expanded food ranges, including the retailer’s award-winning products, Fine Wines, and seasonal specialities.

The modern Simply Food format typically offers enhanced fresh food sections compared to older store formats, potentially raising expectations for food quality across the local retail market.

Transport and Accessibility Considerations

The new stores are deliberately located near major transport links with strong footfall seven days a week. For South London residents, this means improved accessibility via Underground and bus routes, reducing the need for car travel for grocery shopping and supporting more sustainable shopping habits.