First look inside new M&S Dundee at Gallagher Retail Park

Shoppers have had their first look inside the new M&S Dundee store.

The £5 million outlet opened for the first time on Tuesday morning.

The supermarket at Gallagher Retail Park replaces the Murraygate branch and nearby foodhall.

The 48,000 sq ft store stocks a full clothing line catering for men, women and children.

There is also a bureau de change, food hall and cafe.

The shop uses 100 suppliers from Dundee and Angus and hundreds more from across Scotland.

Shoppers queued up to be the first inside the new store and were met on arrival by M&S favourites Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar.

Staff cut the ribbon to open the new store. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Workers cheered as the new store opened for the first time. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The first customers were piped into the new M&S Dundee. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar were on hand to welcome customers inside. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The first customers entering the store. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Some of the first customers being welcomed into the shop. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Customers were welcomed with special Percy Pig bags. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Manager Mary Power, who has worked with the company for 25 years, said she was “just so excited” to open the doors to customers.

She is joined by 147 staff members as well as 11 team managers and two deputy store managers.

Mary told The Courier: “I feel like we have been talking about this day for so long, my team have worked exceptionally hard to get this store ready for opening.

“I am really just excited for our customers to see it because I don’t think they will have seen anything as fantastic as this in terms of M&S stores.

Mary Power inside the shop. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Mary gave a speech to staff. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Mary with Colin the Caterpillar and Percy Pig. Image: Elliott Cansfield

“I started at the Murraygate 25 years ago as a Christmas temp, then I did the grad scheme and then have moved around stores.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to open this store because we don’t open lots of new line stores.

“I think customers will be blown away.

“You walk in and the environment is so different, even the lighting, I had one of my colleagues walk in today and he has never seen this store and was blown away.

“This is absolutely purpose-built for what we are going to do and it’s ready for the future.”

M&S Dundee boasts a “fresh market-style” foodhall. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Inside the foodhall. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Staff working to prepare the flower shop for opening day. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The sourdough is a customer favourite. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The bakery also offers cakes. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The fruit and veg aisle. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The shop is set out in a market style. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The shop uses hundreds of Scottish suppliers. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The frozen section. Image: Elliott Cansfield

There is a large wine shop. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The cheese aisle. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The foodhall is 40% larger than in the Murraygate shop. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar section. Image: Elliott Cansfield

There is also a large clothing range. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Downstairs is filled with women’s clothing. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Staff preparing for customers. Image: Elliott Cansfield

There is a large beauty section. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The store also offers click and collect. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Mary added that she is most excited for customers to see her favourite part of the new store – its one-of-a-kind coffee shop.

She said: “I love the coffee shop, I really do, it’s very different to what any of our customers have seen.

“We are the first store in the business to have this concept and it’s just a lovely place to sit, have coffee, meet your friends, and then do a bit of shopping.

“I also love the big sign outside, I just love the fact it is M&S Dundee.”

The new M&S Dundee opened on Tuesday. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The new style coffee shop. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The coffee shop is manager Mary’s favourite part of the store. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Staff having a last look before customers were allowed inside. Image: Elliott Cansfield

There is a large menswear section upstairs. Image: Elliott Cansfield

The menswear section. Image: Elliott Cansfield

Mary also hopes that loyal customers to the old Murraygate store will be fans of the new supermarket.

She said: “I have fond memories of being in the Murraygate store but I think when people see this store they will understand absolutely why we are here.

“The old Murraygate store isn’t far – it’s around 300 metres away. I think once our customers see this they will love it, it will be worth the extra walk.

“There’s also buses out the back and we have the two hours free parking, there’s absolutely benefits.

“The people of Dundee have been so supportive, we’ve had people looking in the window and asking when we are opening so I am hoping a good few people turn up today to see our new store.”