In a bold move to grow its presence on the high street, Marks and Spencer is gearing up to transform a dozen former Homebase stores into some of its largest standalone food halls yet.
This comes even as the retail giant recovers from a significant cyberattack that has reportedly cost the company around £300 million.
Turning Former DIY Stores Into Food Destinations
M&S plans to open 12 new food stores, creating more than 550 new jobs across the UK.
The company aims to launch eight of these locations by July 2026, pending planning approvals.
So far, five locations have been publicly confirmed, including Abingdon, Cannock, Farnham, Godalming, and Northampton.
What Happened to Homebase and How M&S is Seizing the Opportunity
Homebase, the DIY chain, went into administration last November, putting the future of 130 stores at risk.
While Chris Dawson, owner of The Range, saved 70 of those stores and around 1,600 jobs, and B&Q acquired five others, several sites were left available for new ventures.
M&S has snapped up 12 of these vacant spots, set to be converted into food halls that will be among the biggest in the retailer’s portfolio.
These stores will feature bigger car parks and even a new coffee bakery concept, where customers can grab freshly baked sourdough and other treats, competing with well-known bakery chains like Gail’s.
M&S Leadership Confident in Their Growth Strategy
Stuart Machin, M&S’s CEO, explained that investing in new and revitalized stores remains a key part of the company’s transformation plan.
He added that securing these prime locations will accelerate growth for their food business and improve the shopping experience for customers.
Meanwhile, the chain continues to adapt as Homebase gradually closes more stores following its financial struggles, which started last year.
Support From Investors Amid Market Fluctuations
Despite the cyberattack impacting M&S’s stock — which once soared past £4 but has recently dipped nearly 9% from its year-to-date highs — investors remain optimistic.
Redwheel, M&S’s fourth-largest shareholder, has praised chairman Archie Norman and CEO Stuart Machin for their strong leadership during this challenging period.
Details on the New Food Halls Opening Soon
Here’s a closer look at the confirmed locations and their expected opening dates:
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Abingdon: 18,000 sq ft food hall opening late 2025
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Cannock: 18,000 sq ft food hall opening late 2025
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Farnham: 18,000 sq ft food hall opening spring 2026
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Godalming: 22,000 sq ft food hall opening summer 2026 (M&S’s largest standalone food store yet)
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Northampton: 16,000 sq ft food hall opening summer 2026
The Cyberattack and Its Impact on M&S
Earlier this month, it emerged that hackers, linked to the Scattered Spider group, had infiltrated M&S’s IT systems for over two days before detection.
The breach, which originated through a contractor’s access, is considered a “colossal mistake” by insiders.
M&S is cooperating closely with government and law enforcement agencies but cannot share details due to ongoing investigations.
The company assured customers that stores have remained open with stock levels returning to normal, though their website may take weeks to fully recover.
The cyberattack has reportedly wiped about £1 billion off M&S’s market value since it was first detected.