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A Modern M&S Store for Ipswich

The Copdock Interchange site is highly accessible and will benefit from upgrades to the existing Copdock Roundabout, including new traffic light signalling and timing improvements.

The store will create over 120 new jobs for the local community, with roles ranging from customer service and logistics to store management. If approved, the new M&S Copdock store will represent a significant investment, adding to the £60 million M&S has committed to the East of England over the past three years, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to Ipswich and the continued growth and prosperity of the wider region.

The new store will feature:

  • Dedicated Fashion, Home & Beauty, bringing trusted style and quality under one roof

  • A modern M&S Foodhall, offering a wide range of fresh, seasonal produce sourced from Select Farms and everyday essentials

  • A welcoming space for customers to relax and meet

  • A Click-and-collect service, making online shopping more flexible and convenient

  • 328 customer parking spaces, including EV charging bays, accessible spaces, and parent & child bays

  • Secure cycle parking, with dedicated provision for e-bike charging to support active travel

  • Enhanced landscaping and green space, making the site more attractive and biodiversity-friendly

Sustainability and Design

Marks & Spencer is committed to becoming a net zero business across all operations by 2040 — from how stores are designed and powered, to how products are sourced, packaged, and delivered.

The new store at Copdock Interchange will play a direct role in helping M&S meet this goal. The project focuses on sustainable redevelopment, ensuring the site is brought back into use in a way that is environmentally responsible and future ready:

Key sustainability features include:

On-site photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate renewable energy and reduce reliance on the grid

Retention and reuse of the existing steel frame and core structure, significantly lowering embodied carbon compared to a full rebuild

Use of high-performance insulation and full-height glazing, improving energy efficiency, natural lighting, and customer comfort

Incorporation of durable, low-impact materials selected for long-term environmental performance

EV charging points and cycle parking with e-bike charging, supporting low-carbon travel to and from the store

The building has been designed in line with BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards — one of the highest ratings for sustainable construction — and will contribute directly to M&S’s wider goals on climate, responsible business, and future-ready retail.

Access and Sustainable Travel

The Copdock Interchange site is highly accessible.

Public Transport:

The local area is served by regular local bus services, operated by Ipswich Buses and other providers, with routes connecting to Ipswich Town Centre, Pinewood, Chantry, and surrounding villages. An on-site bus stop is proposed which will supplement the nearby bus stop located directly in front of Tesco, offering convenient pedestrian access to the new store. The development will promote and support the use of public transport as part of a sustainable travel plan.

On-Site Parking and Facilities:

The proposals include:

  • 328 customer parking spaces and 43 colleague spaces, reconfigured to improve flow and accessibility

  • 37 active and 74 passive EV charging bays, supporting the shift to electric vehicles

  • 14 parent and child bays and 16 accessible bays, located close to the store entrance for ease of use

  • 24 cycle parking spaces, including secure stands and charging for e-bikes, encouraging active travel for short journeys

Vehicle Access:

The store will be accessed from London Road, which connects directly to the A1214, and onward to the A12 and A14 via the Copdock Roundabout — offering excellent regional and local connectivity.

Servicing and Deliveries:

Deliveries will be managed via a dedicated service area, separate from customer parking and entrances. This ensures that HGV access remains efficient and safe, without disrupting the customer experience or compromising pedestrian safety.

The store’s location and transport arrangements are designed to offer flexibility, choice, and low-carbon travel options — aligned with M&S’s broader sustainability goals.

Community Benefits

Alongside creating over 120 new jobs within the store, the development will support:

  • Construction, supply chain and fit-out roles, with a strong focus on using local contractors and expertise

  • Retention of retail spending within the Babergh/Ipswich area, helping to strengthen the local economy

  • Continued partnerships with British suppliers and farmers, reflecting M&S’s commitment to responsible sourcing and regional supply chains

  • Infrastructure improvements and the sustainable regeneration of a long-vacant site

As one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, M&S is also proud to create opportunities for those facing barriers to work.

Through the Marks & Start programme, delivered in partnership with The King’s Trust, M&S has helped over 30,000 people gain access to employment — including 12,000 young people aged 16 to 30, with 900 from the East of England. The programme offers hands-on experience, skills training, and confidence-building support, helping many participants progress into long-term careers.

The Copdock store will continue this legacy — creating an inclusive, community-focused workplace where opportunity, progression, and support are embedded from day one.

Planning and Next Steps

Marks & Spencer is committed to delivering this project with transparency and community input. Below is a summary of the key milestones:

June 2025

Submission of full planning application to Babergh District Council

Summer – Autumn 2025

Planning application under consideration

Late 2025 / Early 2026

Planning decision expected

2026

Start of construction, subject to planning approval

Autumn 2027

New M&S store opens at Copdock Interchange

All proposals will be assessed against local and national planning policy, including sustainability, transport, design, and economic impact. M&S and its project team have undertaken detailed assessments to confirm the site’s suitability and are committed to working collaboratively with the local planning authority and community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • The site is located at the former Toys R Us site at Copdock Interchange, located near the A12/A14 junction and within Babergh District Council. The site sits just outside Ipswich and is part of an established retail destination.

  • No. The existing M&S store on Westgate Street will remain open. The new Copdock store is designed to complement the town centre offer — not replace it — expanding choice for customers across the wider area.

  • The site is a previously developed retail unit, vacant since 2018. It benefits from excellent transport links and sits within a well-established retail area. A sequential site assessment confirmed that no suitable town centre locations were available for a store of this size and format.

  • The existing building footprint will be retained and enhanced, with a new mezzanine floor added internally. The exterior will be upgraded with sustainable materials, modern glazing, and landscaping improvements.

  • A Transport Assessment is being prepared to support the application. The car park will be reconfigured to provide 328 customer spaces and 43 colleague spaces, including accessible bays, parent & child spaces, and EV charging. Cycle parking will also be provided to support active travel.

  • This is a refurbishment project, not a rebuild — meaning significantly lower embodied carbon. The design includes energy-efficient systems, solar generation, EV infrastructure, and aligns with M&S’s ambition to become a net zero business by 2040.

  • The new store is expected to create over 120 new jobs, including roles in sales, logistics, customer service, and management. Additional employment will be supported through the construction phase and local supply chains.

  • Yes. M&S works with a wide network of UK-based suppliers, including long-standing relationships with British farmers and producers, helping to support local economies.

  • Yes. A new in-store café will form part of the customer offer — providing a welcoming space to meet, relax, and enjoy refreshments as part of your visit.

  • Subject to planning permission, construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the store aiming to open in Autumn 2027.