Marks & Spencer Glasgow 1966 & 2000’s
After almost a decade the plan for a new bigger & more impressive M&S was completed in 1966.
This Marks & Spencer in Glasgow’s Argyle Street was no longer languishing at corner of Virginia Street. But was now presenting an impressive façade that ran from Virginia Street across to Glassford Street.
Other than some internal modernisation over the years, as well as a ‘behind the scenes’ expansion in Virginia Street & a fresh new cladding, (completed in the late 1990’s).
This is still where, a just as familiar, M&S can be found today.
Marks & Spencer Glasgow 1965
After lengthy preparation of the new M&S Argyle Street site, building of the larger store was begun in early 1965.
Within a year, in sight of the ‘old’ existing Marks & Spencer, the new building would be complete.
{in photo above M&S in Virginia Street can be seen to rear & right}
Marks & Spencer Glasgow 1961
From the opening of a new building in 1930, nothing other cosmetic modernisation was carried out on the site at the corner of Argyle Street & Virginia Street.
By the 1960’s it was time for change as the existing building was tired, outdated & old.
So it was decided to expand & modernise beyond the corner shop & become like its high street rivals.
Having bought the Mann Byers site, across the road in late 1950’s; It was then the intention to a have 1 large store & façade between Virginia Street & Glassford Street…
The long process of a brand new bigger store was begun.
{Argyle Street with M&S on corner & new site beyond}
Marks & Spencer Glasgow 1930
By the late 1920’s Marks & Spencer had expanded to the stores surrounding it at the corner of Virginia Street & Argyle Street. (next door to their present day store on Argyle Street)
Rather than further expansion, a re-design was decided upon, creating & rebuilding a store with individual departments.
With this ‘New Shop’ & their policy of “nothing over 5 shillings” (25p), sales in the Glasgow branch became second only to those of London.
C. Ernest Monro was commissioned to design Marks & Spencer’s first purpose-built store in Scotland, which opened in 1930. This led to a further eight Scottish stores built between 1930 and 1938.
Marks & Spencer Glasgow 1925
By 1925, Marks & Spencer had upgraded its Glasgow shop to “high street” status.
Having changed the shop façade & dropped the “Penny Bazaar” display.
Marks & Spencer Glasgow 1919
Marks & Spencer began life in a Leeds market in 1884 with Michael Marks. He partnered with Tom Spencer in 1894 & so the name was born.
Based around the five key principles of Quality, Value, Service, Innovation & Trust, by 1900 they had expanded to 48 locations including 12 high street stores.
In 1919, Marks & Spencer opened their first shop (above) at the corner of Virginia Street & Argyle Street.
1919 site Pre-Marks & Spencer
It is thought that they acquired an existing business & converted it to their own style of “Penny Bazaar”
