My Wokingham has been contacted by local residents asking whether Marks & Spencer (M&S) is planning to open an M&S Food store in Wokingham or nearby Arborfield.
The interest follows a recent article published by Wokingham Today, which reported that both locations were included on a national list of potential future sites identified by M&S as part of its wider food store expansion programme.
Is an M&S Food store confirmed for Wokingham or Arborfield?
At this stage, it’s important to be clear:
❌ No store has been officially confirmed
❌ No planning application has been submitted locally
❌ No site has been formally announced by M&S
The locations were included in a broader nationwide list of around 500 “target locations” — towns and communities where M&S may be interested in opening or renewing stores if suitable premises become available.
Being listed means interest, not certainty.
What M&S has officially published
Marks & Spencer has released a Property Requirements Brochure detailing the types of locations and store sizes the company is seeking.
📄 View the brochure here:
https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/sites/marksandspencer/files/11-2025/Property_Requirements_Brochure_ALL_11.25.pdf
M&S also issued a corporate press release confirming their national search for suitable sites:
📰 Read the official press release here:
https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/newsroom/press-releases/ms-expands-search-potential-new-sites-it-picks-pace-store-renewal
In the expansion announcement, M&S Food Managing Director Alex Freudmann said:
“The strong performance of our new M&S Food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth…”
This statement makes clear that M&S is exploring opportunities across hundreds of towns nationally, not confirming store openings in specific places at this stage.
Why Wokingham residents are excited
Wokingham previously had an M&S store, and many residents feel the town would benefit from:
✔ increased footfall
✔ greater retail choice
✔ renewed energy on the high street
So news that the town appeared on M&S’s wider “wishlist” has naturally sparked interest and hope.
So what happens next?
For now, the situation is:
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Wokingham and Arborfield appear on a national list of potential locations
-
No local store has been approved or confirmed
-
Any future plans would require formal planning applications and announcements
My Wokingham understands residents’ enthusiasm — and if M&S does take formal steps toward opening locally, we will report verified updates from official sources.
Until then, the rumours remain just that — speculation.
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