New M&S flagship leads the opening of €841M Victoria Place Woking

M&S’s new Victoria Place store is a regional flagship occupying 4,645 sq m over two floors.  M&S Woking includes the brand’s trademark range of clothing, homeware and gifts, quality food, a bespoke bakery and a café.

Joining M&S are formalwear specialist, Moss Bros, athletic footwear and apparel retailer Skechers, artisan bakery GAIL’s, East Asian-inspired fast-food chain, itsu, and high-end cocktail bar, Komo. Completing the launch of Victoria Place is The Marches, the BTR residential element of Victoria Place operated by Native Group.  The Marches comprise 429 residential apartments in two towers of 30 and 34 storeys.

A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer, commented: “We are very pleased to have launched our regional flagship store in Woking, and are proud to have done so within a destination that aligns seamlessly with our community-focused ethos. Victoria Place’s positioning right in the heart of Woking creates the perfect location for customers to shop and peruse our store, food hall, and café at ease.”

The international architecture and design studio Benoy is delivering architecture, masterplanning, and interior design for the project. Robert Bentley, who is leading the project for Benoy, commented:​ “This is a significant moment for the scheme as we look to drive forward to completion later this year. We are delighted to see an iconic retailer such as M&S open on site, which alongside Boots, will help anchor the retail extension.”

Subsequent stages of Victoria Place will open over the course of 2022.  These will include The Gym Group, Italia Conti Dance Conservatoire (4,366 sq m musical theater), Woking Superbowl (a 16-lane bowling experience), and new F&B offerings.

The series of launches will culminate in November with the 22-floor, 189-bed four-star Hilton Hotel.  Currently fitting out, Hilton Woking will contain three independent dining concepts totalling almost 883 sq m, including a contemporary sky bar on the 22^nd floor.  Called LOFT, it will provide views of central London, the Wembley Arch, and across Surrey to the south. Benoy is delivering architecture, masterplanning and interior design for the project.

Councillor Ayesha Azad, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “The town is a key opportunity location for companies and investors, as well as a very desirable place to live, work, and visit for residents and visitors alike. We are extremely pleased to welcome all the new additions to Victoria Place, and look forward to the rest of the openings over the coming months.”

Complementing the retail, F&B, residential, and hotel is space for a medical center and 7,897 sq m of offices. Victoria Place has also created two new public plazas and delivered 284 new parking spaces in the town center. JLL and Nash Bond acted for Victoria Place.  MMX Retail represented M&S.