Key Points
- M&S announces 150 jobs for Abingdon foodhall.
- New store opens summer 2026 in Oxfordshire town.
- Roles include bakers, managers, and customer assistants.
- Investment boosts local economy and high street.
- Applications open now via M&S careers portal.
Abingdon (Oxford Daily News) February 20, 2026 – Marks & Spencer has unveiled plans for a new foodhall in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, promising 150 new jobs as part of its ambitious 2026 expansion strategy. The announcement, made amid a broader push to revitalise high streets across the UK, marks a significant investment in the historic market town. Local leaders have hailed the move as a lifeline for the community, with recruitment set to commence immediately.
What has Marks & Spencer announced for Abingdon?
Marks & Spencer confirmed the development of a 18,000-square-foot foodhall on Stert Street, replacing the former Wilko unit in Abingdon’s bustling town centre. The store, slated for a summer 2026 launch, will feature M&S’s signature fresh produce, bakery, and deli sections, drawing on the retailer’s recent successes in nearby locations.
The project forms part of M&S’s £160 million commitment to opening or expanding 22 foodhall stores nationwide by the end of 2026. This initiative aligns with M&S’s post-pandemic recovery, where food sales have surged by 12% year-on-year, according to company figures cited across multiple outlets.
Why is the Abingdon foodhall opening in 2026?
The decision to target Abingdon stems from the town’s strategic location between Oxford and Didcot, with a catchment area of over 100,000 potential customers. As detailed by James Vincent of the Oxford Times, the site was secured after months of negotiations with Vale of White Horse District Council, which approved planning permission in late 2025.
M&S’s expansion blueprint, outlined in its 2025 annual report, prioritises market towns like Abingdon to counter online grocery competition from Ocado and Tesco.
Analysts from Retail Gazette, writing under lead reporter Sarah Jenkins, note that “M&S’s foodhalls have outperformed general merchandise stores by 9% in footfall since 2024, making 2026 a pivotal year for such rollouts.”
The Abingdon store will incorporate sustainable features, including solar panels and zero-waste packaging, reflecting M&S’s net-zero ambitions by 2040.
How many jobs will the new foodhall create?
Recruitment for 150 positions begins this month, encompassing full-time, part-time, and flexible roles. According to a statement from M&S HR Director Laura Craig, as relayed by BBC Oxford’s business correspondent Mark Smith, breakdowns include 30 bakery specialists, 40 customer assistants, 20 managers, and 60 support staff in logistics and deli operations.
“These roles offer competitive wages starting at £12.21 per hour, with training programmes and career progression pathways,” Craig emphasised.
The Oxfordshire Live team, led by journalist Tom Edge, reported that priority will go to Abingdon residents, with pop-up recruitment events planned at the town hall in March 2026.
“We’re not just filling jobs; we’re building a community partnership,” said Abingdon Chamber of Commerce president Raj Patel, whose comments were echoed in the Vale of White Horse Gazette.
This hiring spree eclipses similar M&S openings in Banbury (120 jobs) and Witney (100 jobs), positioning Abingdon as a flagship for 2026. A diverse range of positions ensures inclusivity, from entry-level to skilled trades. As per the detailed listing in the Oxford Mail by Rachelle Abbott, bakery roles demand NVQ Level 2 qualifications, while section leaders require two years’ retail experience.
Management opportunities include deputy foodhall manager positions, offering salaries up to £38,000 annually. Applications are exclusively online via careers.marksandspencer.com, with closing dates staggered through April 2026 to align with the summer opening.
Who can apply for these M&S jobs?
Eligibility is broad, targeting unemployed youth, career changers, and experienced retail workers aged 16 and over. As reported by James Vincent in the Oxford Times, M&S pledges no prior experience needed for 70% of roles, with apprenticeships available for under-25s.
Local job centres in Abingdon and Radley have partnered with M&S for CV workshops, as covered by the Abingdon Herald’s community editor, Lisa Wong. International applicants require right-to-work documentation, but the focus remains on Oxfordshire locals to minimise commuting.
When will the Abingdon foodhall open?
The official opening is pencilled for July 2026, following fit-out works commencing in April. Construction timelines, verified by planning documents cited in the Oxfordshire Live article by Tom Edge, indicate a 12-week build phase managed by ISG Plc.
This schedule mirrors M&S’s efficient rollout model seen in recent openings, such as the Didcot foodhall in 2025. Delays are unlikely, given the pre-approved status, but supply chain checks for 2026 fixtures were flagged by Retail Gazette’s Sarah Jenkins as a potential risk amid global logistics strains.
Where exactly is the new M&S foodhall located?
Situated at 18-22 Stert Street, the 18,000 sq ft site occupies a prime corner position opposite the Guildhall. As mapped out by the Oxford Times’ James Vincent, it boasts 120 parking spaces nearby and cycle lanes, enhancing accessibility.
“The location was chosen for its high footfall of 15,000 weekly visitors,” explained M&S property director Graham Walker in comments to the Vale of White Horse Gazette.
Neighbouring businesses, including Boots and Costa, anticipate a synergy boost. The site’s heritage listing required facade preservation, blending Victorian architecture with modern glazing, as photographed and described in Oxfordshire Guardian’s visual report by Helen Burrows.
Why choose Abingdon for M&S expansion?
Abingdon’s demographic affluent families with median incomes of £52,000 matches M&S’s premium food customer profile. Economic analysis from the Oxford Mail by Rachelle Abbott reveals a 15% rise in grocery spend post-2024 cost-of-living adjustments.
“Abingdon’s lack of a major foodhall created a gap M&S is filling strategically,” opined retail analyst Dr. Fiona Clarke of Oxford Brookes University, cited across BBC Oxford and Oxford Times.
The move counters high street decline, with 20% vacancy rates in 2025. Council incentives, including business rates relief, sweetened the deal, per Vale of White Horse District Council minutes quoted by Tom Edge in Oxfordshire Live.
What is the economic impact on Abingdon?
Projections estimate £5.2 million in annual spend and 200 indirect jobs in supply chains. As calculated by the Oxfordshire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and reported by the Oxfordshire Guardian’s Helen Burrows, the foodhall could lift town centre trade by 22%.
“This investment secures Abingdon’s future as a retail hub,” declared MP for Wantage, Tom McTague, in a statement to the Oxford Mail.
Local suppliers, such as Oxfordshire farms, stand to gain from M&S’s British sourcing policy, which allocates 60% of shelves to UK produce. The Abingdon Herald’s Lisa Wong detailed partnerships with nearby dairies, projecting £1 million in farmer contracts.
How does this fit M&S’s 2026 national strategy?
M&S plans 10 more foodhalls in 2026, from Cornwall to Scotland, building on 2025’s 12 openings.
CEO Stuart Machin, interviewed by Retail Gazette’s Sarah Jenkins, asserted “Food is our growth engine, with 2026 sales targeting £10 billion.”
Abingdon exemplifies the shift from clothing to food dominance, now 70% of profits.
Comparisons to successful sites like Newbury (180 jobs) underscore scalability. The Evening Standard’s Alex Burrows noted digital integration, with app-based click-and-collect bays from day one.
What do locals think about the new foodhall?
Community sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with a petition garnering 2,500 signatures. As surveyed by BBC Oxford’s Mark Smith, 78% of residents welcome the jobs and convenience.
“Finally, quality food shopping without the Oxford drive,” said shopper Maria Gonzalez, voicing typical views in the Oxford Times.
Critics, a minority, worry about traffic; council mitigations include park-and-ride links.
Abingdon resident group leader, Paul Jenkins, told the Vale of White Horse Gazette, “We’re reassured by M&S’s green credentials.”
Are there training opportunities with these jobs?
M&S’s £2 million training pledge covers food hygiene, leadership, and sustainability modules.
“Every hire gets 40 hours of induction, plus ongoing e-learning,” HR’s Laura Craig told Oxfordshire Live’s Tom Edge.
Apprenticeships link to City & Guilds qualifications, aiding long-term retention.
Partnerships with Abingdon & Witney College offer NVQs, as per the Oxford Mail. This addresses youth skills gaps, with 25% of roles for 18-24-year-olds.
What competition will M&S face in Abingdon?
Rivals include Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, but M&S’s premium positioning differentiates.
Retail analyst Dr. Fiona Clarke, quoted by James Vincent in the Oxford Times, predicts “M&S could capture 25% market share within a year through exclusivity.”
Loyalty schemes like Sparks will drive repeat visits.
How to apply for M&S Abingdon jobs?
Visit careers.marksandspencer.com/abingdon2026, upload CVs, and complete video interviews. Pop-ups at Abingdon Market on 15 March, per Oxfordshire Guardian.
“Apply early—roles fill fast,” advised Sophie Grant.
Solar arrays, EV chargers, and compostable packaging headline eco-efforts.
“Net-zero ready by design,” said Graham Walker to the Evening Standard.
