Marks & Spencer opened its largest standalone Foodhall in Godalming, Surrey, on 16 July 2026, strengthening its effort to attract more families completing their weekly grocery shop. The 22,000 sq ft store at The Wharf Retail Park carries the full M&S Food range and has created 80 jobs.

The new Foodhall occupies a former Homebase unit on Woolsack Way. It introduces the latest M&S Food format, with more space for fresh food, everyday essentials and specialist counters than a typical convenience-led M&S Food store.

What is the M&S Godalming Foodhall?

The M&S Godalming Foodhall is a full-range UK supermarket designed for larger family shopping trips. It is the retailer’s biggest standalone food store to date and brings fresh produce, bakery products, meat, sushi, wine, frozen food, household goods and the wider M&S Food range together at one location.

At a glance

  • M&S opened the store on 16 July 2026.
  • It is located at The Wharf Retail Park in Godalming.
  • The Foodhall covers 22,000 sq ft.
  • It is M&S Food’s largest standalone store.
  • The development has created 80 jobs.
  • It carries the full M&S Food range.
  • The store occupies a former Homebase location.

What does the new M&S Foodhall offer?

The supermarket includes a larger bakery, expanded fresh produce space, a cheese barge, a chicken shop, Mai Sushi and a rotisserie counter. It also has an enhanced beers, wines and spirits section, a new kitchen shop and dedicated ranges covering flowers, plants, organic food, frozen fruit and pet products.

Fresh departments have been given more space, while herbs, fruit and organic products are displayed across different temperature zones. Wider aisles, updated signage and revised store navigation are intended to make it easier for customers to complete larger shopping trips.

The checkout area has also been upgraded. Family-focused additions include small shopping trolleys for children.

How is M&S targeting the family weekly shop?

M&S wants its larger Foodhalls to capture more spending from customers who previously used its stores mainly for meals, treats or smaller top-up trips. Offering a broader grocery range in one location gives families more scope to buy everyday food alongside the retailer’s premium and specialist products.

The Godalming store carries all 175 products in the expanded Remarksable Value range. M&S benchmarks prices in this range against competitors while applying its existing sourcing, ingredient, quality and animal-welfare standards.

This combination of value lines, everyday essentials and premium food shows how M&S is widening its appeal without moving away from the quality positioning associated with its food business.

Why is M&S opening larger Foodhalls?

M&S is modernising its food estate around larger stores that can accommodate more of its complete grocery range. Godalming forms part of its store rotation and renewal programme, which includes moving into larger locations and repurposing suitable former retail units.

The company identified the Godalming site as one of several former Homebase properties earmarked for development in 2025. Larger stores allow M&S to expand fresh-food departments and serve complete weekly shops rather than relying mainly on convenience purchases.

This format places M&S Food in closer competition with full-range UK supermarkets for family grocery spending. Its strategy remains differentiated by own-brand products, prepared food, fresh departments and specialist in-store areas.

When is M&S Godalming open?

M&S Godalming opens from 8am until 9pm from Monday to Saturday. Sunday trading hours are 10am to 4pm.

The store is located at Unit 1, The Wharf Retail Park, Woolsack Way, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1DR.

What happens next?

M&S is expected to continue opening and renewing larger Foodhalls as it works to expand its food business. The performance of Godalming will help show whether a broader range, improved value offer and more spacious format can persuade families to complete more of their weekly supermarket shopping at M&S.

The opening also provides a new test of how successfully M&S Food can move beyond top-up and occasion-based purchases while retaining its established quality-led position in the UK grocery market.

Editor’s note: This article is based on information published by Marks & Spencer on 16 July 2026. Store details, opening hours, employment figures and information about the M&S Food estate strategy were checked against the company’s official announcement. No quotes have been used.