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# Fresh questions raised over M&S's high street future in Ipswich
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/questions-raised-over-marks-spencer-high-street-future-in-ipswich/
- Published: 2024-12-03T10:21:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:28:41.000Z
- Description: It has emerged there is no contractual agreement for M&S to maintain its high street store alongside the planned development in Copdock. The revelation comes after council leaders described the deal as "fantastic news for Ipswich" that "secures an ongoing M&S presence in Ipswich town centre." It do…
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Town Centre & Waterfront, Money, poverty and the cost of living, #article, M&S, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Assets, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**The big picture:** When council leaders [announced the deal to sell the former Toys'R'Us site in Copdock to M&S](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/announced-the-deal-to-sell-the-former-toys-r-us-site-in-copdock-to-m-s/), they were keen to emphasise that the new development would coexist with the brand's town centre store on Westgate Street.

![M&S on Westgate Street, Ipswich](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1733220859-marks-and-spencers-westgate-street-ipswich-4.jpg)

M&S have no contractual obligation to maintain their Westgate Street store in the town centre once the development of their new Copdock store is complete Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)

**What they said:** "The investment has been enabled by Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council, as owners of the Freehold and Long Leasehold of the site and **secures an ongoing M&S presence in Ipswich town centre**," said the announcement.

Colin Kreidewolf, Chair of Ipswich Borough Assets, Ipswich Borough Council’s property investment arm, said "The sale to M&S is coupled with the retailer **retaining its Ipswich town centre presence**."

Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks noted the deal "**retains their long-standing presence in the town centre.**"

Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Ipswich. Ipswich gets the best of M&S with a new store at Copdock **and a town centre store**."

![How the new M&S Copdock store will look](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1732196102-marks-spencers-copdock-plans-2.jpg)

Plans for the new "brand-defining" 60,000 sq ft store in Copdock (M&S)

**What's emerged since:** Responding to questions from Ipswich.co.uk about the terms of the deal, MacDonald said that the council "worked hard during the negotiations to ensure that Ipswich was able to maintain its M&S high street presence," but he confirmed "there is no contractual agreement."

He added that M&S are "investing significant amounts of money in the Westgate St store," though no figures have been disclosed and neither M&S nor the council has provided specific details about the investment in the Westgate Street site.

**Why it matters:** The revelation raises serious questions about the long-term future of M&S's high street presence and prompts fresh concerns about the council’s commitment to Ipswich’s town centre. Ipswich.co.uk editor, Oliver Rouane-Williams shares his take below.

**The bottom line:** Despite the positive language used by both council leaders and M&S, the lack of contractual obligation over its town centre future means M&S's long-term high street presence remains entirely at the company's discretion.

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