High street retailer takes a trip down Memory Lane with new market stall

Marks & Spencer has gone back to its roots by opening a new stall in a Yorkshire market where the popular brand first started – as a penny bazaar – back in 1884.
Customer assistant Patrick Gunn, 21, toasts the opening.Customer assistant Patrick Gunn, 21, toasts the opening.
Customer assistant Patrick Gunn, 21, toasts the opening.

The heritage and coffee stall at Kirkgate Market in Leeds was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Ann Castle.

The stall was opened to mark the first anniversary of the opening of the high street favourite’s archive at the University of Leeds, which holds more than 70,000 historic items.

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Katharine Carter, company archivist, said: “This is all about returning to our roots and introducing people to the fantastic heritage of M&S.”

Customer assistant Patrick Gunn, 21, toasts the opening.Customer assistant Patrick Gunn, 21, toasts the opening.
Customer assistant Patrick Gunn, 21, toasts the opening.

The stall, next to the famous M&S clock in the 1904 building of the market, will sell special archive items such as mugs and postcards as well as food and coffee.

Photographs and imagery from throughout the brand’s 129-year history are also on display.

In addition to the stall, a new M&S Heritage Trail will also be launched with Leeds City Council on Saturday.

A Marks in Time exhibition has also been set up at the company’s archives in Leeds.