Wakefield Marks & Spencer to move from The Ridings to City Fields

Marks & Spencer plans to close its Wakefield high-street store in The Ridings and open an 18,000 sq ft market-style food store at the City Fields development about two miles away; the relocation date is not yet confirmed.

Marks & Spencer has announced plans to close its Wakefield high-street store in The Ridings and open a new market-style food store at the City Fields development, around two miles east of the city centre. The retailer described the new site on Neil Fox Way as an 18,000 sq ft store and said it would be "one of the most modern stores in the UK." The move follows ongoing speculation about the future of the store since M&S closed its Castleford premises in 2023. Wakefield Council says it has been in discussion with The Ridings' owner about the shopping centre's longer-term future. The date for the relocation has not been confirmed. Key details: - Marks & Spencer will relocate from The Ridings shopping centre to an 18,000 sq ft market-style food store at the City Fields development on Neil Fox Way. - Nikki McKidd, M&S stores director, is quoted saying the new Wakefield store would be "one of the most modern stores in the UK." - Wakefield Council said it has been talking with The Ridings' owner about the centre's longer-term future and the potential impact of the move. - Council cabinet member Jack Hemingway described the new store as a "great addition to City Fields" and said more announcements are expected later this year. - The Labour-run authority had previously considered buying The Ridings as part of regeneration plans but dropped that proposal in 2022; the centre was bought by Zahid Iqbal in 2023. - The relocation date has not yet been confirmed. Summary: The announced move shifts M&S's presence from the city-centre Ridings to the City Fields housing development and council officials said the change will have an impact on the shopping centre. Wakefield Council is working closely with The Ridings' owner on the centre's longer-term future, and council representatives said more announcements are expected later this year. The date for the store's relocation is undetermined at this time.