Customers respond to plans for M&S flagship store in Chichester

The announcement by Marks and Spencer that it plans to invest in a new out-of-town flagship food and fashion store has split customer opinion in Chichester.

The company said last week that it was planning to close its women's and children's clothes offering on North Street but would retain and refurbish its East Street food store.

It will submit plans to build a 55,000 sq. ft on the old Homebase site in Barnfield Drive, a move that’s been welcomed by many Chichester shoppers.

Many residents welcomed the prospect of a modern, larger store and the reuse of a long‑vacant retail unit. One shopper said they were “excited to have this as our local store”, adding that the location would be easier to access for people with disabilities. Another commented: “It’s good to know the old Homebase store won’t be empty any longer.”

On Facebook, however, others voiced concern about the impact on the city centre. Several shoppers said the loss of a clothing shop on North Street would be “damaging and detrimental”, with one noting: “There will be nowhere left in Chichester city centre to buy knickers.” Another said the move would “limit access to children’s clothes in Chichester”.

Some argued the company should have taken over the former House of Fraser building instead, saying it “would have been so much better for the town centre”. Others pointed to wider pressures on high‑street retail, including the “cost of parking”, which they said was “killing retail in Chichester”.

There were also worries about accessibility for those who rely on central shops. One resident said the existing store was a “lifeline” for their elderly mother, who does not drive or shop online.

Despite the concerns, others saw the investment as a rare piece of positive retail news. “Great to see they are doing so well and expanding,” one shopper wrote, adding that a brand like Zara “would be a great addition” to the soon‑to‑be‑vacant M&S unit in the city centre.