We have heard a rumour that M&S are to open a store in Playa Flamenca area. There is to be a commercial area with M&S, Primark and Iceland between Playa Flamenca and Villamartin.

Quite possibly.

They are opening a store in Marbella in September. Apparently it is a franchise operation like the well established one in Gibraltar.

Considering that M & S pulled out of Spain around 7 years ago (along with rest of Europe) I find it surprising that they are coming again.

And remember, when they were here they stuck to the heavily populated cities such as Madrid & Barcelona. Why they think a coastal tourist place would stand them in better stead is beyond me.

Buy at the bottom. Recession is good for those who have the capital to take advantage-

That one doesn't puzzle me at all. population of brits is what counts, those who see M&S as some kind of High Street Holy Place

Apparently building work is to start 'imminently', it is on some land near the motorway junction at La Zenia, where there is already a Lidl and Mercadona in a small commercial centre, also a Pet store and Petrol station already ther, has been in the planning stages for 5 years, but they have only just got permission to start the development.

I don;t think they actually pulled out of Spain because of poor sales - they pulled out of other European countries including France at the same time. The reason given at the time was they needed to sort out their main UK business and didn't want any distractions.

Are you sure it was only 7 years ago - it seems a lot longer back.

It was a long time ago. There were near riots in Paris.

They pulled out but this one is not exactly M&S, as someone said just a franchise and only sells a selection of their products.

I was sorry when Nat-West pulled out, you could transfer cheaply and less bank charges than the spanish ones. Could even pay in a sterling cheque.

I just wish Primark would move a bit closer to the CdS - much more my kind of budget than M & S, and before anyone leaps in, it's not all cr*p, you have to pick and choose!

Big one here in Jerez.

I never said it was because of poor sales and, yes, it was around 7 years ago. It was 2002 (maybe 2001 if memory is playing up!!!) They pulled out of all international operations.

Yet to scotch the earlier suggestion by some female whose name I forget, M & S international operations were never about the Brits abroad. Why in God's name would it be? Talk about restricting your trade!!!!! In sites that a store of M & S standard could open, an immediate catchment population would need to be in excess of 100,000. There is absolutely NO area in Spain where an area of this size has more Brits than Spaniards! True - to quote another thread - there may be places that have 75% Foreigners, but these are towns of less than 10,000. So, putting a business brain on for just one single second, would M & S really say 'You know what, those Brits on holiday could really use our store - having used the one in High Street, the airport, they must surely be desperate for one in Spain!' Absolute nonsense.

The ones in the cities will do far better. Imagine just for a second: a city with 5 million people versus a shithole costa with its flip-flopped pasty tourists!!!!

Hmmmm..... Shithole costa!!! It might not be Marbella but it certainly is better that a lot of places I know.

Ouch, I am hurt.

Oh well, if you're right, we should expect them to re-open in the big cities as well as Playa Flamenca and Costa del Sol, then.

ML,

I imagine you are referring to the planned Las Playas Shopping Centre which is being constructed on the waste land next to the AP-7 (and as you say just near to the Petsworld roundabout) at La Zenia. I pass it every day and it doesn't look to me like building work is going to start any time soon. They are just clearing and levelling the ground at the moment. The shopping centre they are going to build is said to rival Habaneras & Dos Mares, don't know about an M&S though (shall have to keep that info away form the wife!)and I know there is some local objections (from local shop owner) to it being built. Access to it from the N-332 and the AP-7 is also an issue which they will need to think carefully about.

Regards
CAM

I saw an article in one of the free newspapers a couple of months ago which said building was going to start on the new shopping centre and the land has definately been cleared. They didn't say what shops were going in yet, we already use Primark at Murcia for childrens clothes etc, the shops are reasonably priced like the UK ones the only difference is that the shop doesn't resemble a jumble sale (or is it only the Bristol store that the clothes end up on the floor not the rails!).

It will be interesting to see who else is planning to take up residence when it is built.