Our Smartspace team has successfully completed a transformative renewal and extension project for long-standing client Marks & Spencer at their Orpington store.
The project follows a fast-paced 14-week programme, marking another milestone in our two-decade partnership with M&S.
Located in Orpington, the scheme forms part of M&S’s ambitious national renewal programme, which includes £300 million of investment across new, extended, and refurbished stores.
The Orpington store was previously a combined food hall and clothing outlet. Through this project, it has been significantly expanded into two adjacent vacant retail units, doubling the footprint of the foodhall and creating a brand-new fashion space across two floors.
The foodhall has grown with an increase of over 10,000 square feet, representing a remarkable expansion. This enlarged space now accommodates a wider range of fresh produce and market-style displays, all aligned with M&S’s latest blueprint store format.
The fashion area, previously just 13,690 square feet on a single level, now spans 21,580 square feet across two floors, featuring dedicated departments for womenswear, menswear, lingerie, and childrenswear, along with fitting rooms and enhanced customer facilities.
The scope of works included the installation of new plant and equipment, a new escalator and goods lift, shared customer and colleague toilets, and upgraded staff welfare areas. These enhancements bring the store up to M&S’s current renewal specification, offering a brighter, more spacious and modern shopping experience.
Delivering this project came with its challenges. The site operated within a shared service yard, with neighbouring retail units and residents nearby, along with storage space being extremely limited.
Our team overcame these logistical constraints through careful planning, phased deliveries, and close coordination with all stakeholders.
Additionally, client-led changes during the build required agile project management and proactive communication to ensure the programme remained on track.
Sustainability was a key focus throughout the project. All waste was managed through our social enterprise supplier Go Green and tracked via SmartWaste, resulting in 100% diversion from landfill. All plasterboard and timber removed from the site was fully recycled, contributing to our environmental targets.
Social value was embedded into the delivery. Our team engaged with a local primary school, delivering health and safety talks to Year 5 and 6 pupils. A trainee site manager from our apprenticeship scheme was involved throughout the project, and three apprentices were employed within our supply chain. We also partnered with local suppliers, including Nuneaton Signs and Wild Hearts Direct.
The site achieved an excellent Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 44 out of 45, with the report praising the high standards maintained across all areas.
The renewed M&S Orpington store now stands as an example of reimagining retail, combining enhanced customer experience, sustainable construction, and meaningful community engagement.
It reflects both M&S’s strategic vision and our Smartspace team’s commitment to delivering high-quality, future-ready environments for our customers.
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