M&S to open in Athlone

Marks & Spencer has announced plans to anchor a new retail development in Athlone Town Centre in Co Westmeath.

The brand new 17,000 sq ft store, which will open in Autumn 2007, will create 100 new jobs for the area. It will be the 30th Marks & Spencer store to open across Ireland.

The store will open under Marks & Spencer’s new signature style with contemporary interior design, brighter lighting, easy to navigate walkways and spacious fitting rooms. It will include a wide range of fashion across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, as well as a Food Hall with a bakery.

Regional Manager of M&S Ireland, Jim McNicholas said: "We’re delighted to be anchoring such a prestigious retail development with a brand new 17,000 sq ft M&S store.

"We’ve been looking to open a store in the midlands for a while and are very pleased to have secured such a great location that will allow us to bring M&S products and services to a whole new group of customers in Athlone."