M&S - New Anchor Unit

Landsec sought to repurpose a vacant former Debenhams department store unit in White Rose Leeds into a new anchor M&S store featuring a dedicated Foodhall and M&S Café. The brief required a full-width, double-height glazed frontage and substantial façade upgrades to attract footfall and align with the shopping centre’s refurbishment strategy—all while working within a fixed, ambitious programme to meet M&S’s operational launch window 

G&T provided Cost Management, Project Management, Employer’s Agent, andt, Contract Administration services. We collaborated closely with Landsec and M&S from feasibility through enabling works, defining scope, refining the programme, and developing detailed cost advice. We initiated enabling contracts before landlord works to de-risk the project, coordinated façade demolition, and managed full refurbishment—securing a seamless transition from shell to flagship store.

The former Debenhams unit has been successfully transformed into a modern, double-height glazed M&S anchor store, complete with a Foodhall and café. Delivered on time and to budget, the new unit adds a high-profile anchor tenant to White Rose Leeds, boosting the centre's appeal and footfall. G&T’s rigorous cost control and proactive programme management ensured the flagship store exceeded expectations for both client and retailer.