On your Marks for launch of new archive

Tomorrow the new Michael Marks Building at the University of Leeds, which will house Marks & Spencer’s company archive and include expansion space for collections from the University library, will open its doors to the public for the first time.

It has now been permanently relocated to the new 19,000 sq ft, three-storey building from its previous London home. The move will make the archive fully accessible to the public for the very first time whilst also opening up the collections to academics and students for research, teaching and learning.

Highlights from the collection will be on display in a dedicated area that will be regularly updated. The exhibition is designed to walk visitors through the company’s 128 year history, charting the company’s progress from the first buttons sold on Michael Marks’ Penny Bazaar stall in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market to the British retailer we know today.

The building’s bespoke design also comprises conference facilities, a dedicated reading room facilitating direct access to the items, temperature and humidity controlled units to house Marks & Spencer’s vast collections and additional space for archived items from the university’s extensive library collections and staff areas.

Alison Houston, head of the M&S company archive, said: “This marks the next chapter in our successful partnership with the University of Leeds and brings the full Company Archive back to the home of M&S.”

The archive collection includes business papers, advertising materials and merchandise such as clothing, toys and household items. It is expected to be of particular interest to staff and students.

A new website, marksintime.marksandspencer.com has been launched to coincide with the opening of the archive, offering more information.