M&S Godalming Food Store Opening: UK's Biggest Standalone Foodhall

Marks & Spencer opened its largest standalone food store on 16 July 2026 at The Wharf Retail Park in Godalming, Surrey, converting a former Homebase unit into a 22,000 sq ft foodhall designed for the weekly family shop. The opening drew queues from 7:45am, with shoppers arriving early for custom tote bags, vouchers, and Percy Pigs. Find opening times, location, and what to expect at the new M&S Godalming food store.

The store is part of M&S's strategy to double its food business by investing in bigger stores and family value lines, according to Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food. "We're doubling our food business with investment where family customers are asking for it most: bigger, better stores and more trusted value on the products families buy every week," Freudmann said.

What's Inside the UK's Largest M&S Foodhall

The Godalming store offers the full M&S food range across a layout that includes wider fresh produce areas, multi-temperature zones for herbs and organic fruit, a larger in-store bakery, an enhanced cheese barge running through the centre, a dedicated chicken shop, a sushi section, a rotisserie chicken counter, and an upgraded beers, wines and spirits shop-in-shop. A new kitchenware aisle with pots, pans and utensils adds a non-food dimension not typically seen in M&S foodhalls.

The store also features a card and gifting section, plus plants and flowers, making it a one-stop destination for both grocery and occasional gifting needs.

Designed for the Weekly Family Shop

M&S has positioned the Godalming store as a response to changing shopping habits, where families are consolidating their weekly grocery trips. The 22,000 sq ft footprint allows for a full range of products under one roof, including the retailer's family value lines that have been expanded to appeal to cost-conscious households.

The store's design follows the pattern of recent M&S Foodhall openings in Guildford and Farnham, with fruit and vegetables laid out in a market-style display at the front, using colour blocking for visual appeal. Food sections are clearly marked with artistic signage rather than neon, and the cheese barge serves as a central focal point.

Local Impact and Shopper Response

The opening generated significant local interest, with queues forming before the 8am opening and continuing past 9am. The former Homebase unit at The Wharf Retail Park has been transformed into a modern foodhall that brings together the full M&S Food range with more space for the weekly shop.

The store is part of a broader investment by M&S into new and renewed stores as the retailer modernises its estate and creates larger foodhalls. The Godalming opening follows recent expansions in Guildford and Farnham, signalling M&S's commitment to the Surrey market.

For local shoppers, the store provides access to the complete M&S food range without needing to travel to larger retail parks or city centres. The inclusion of family value lines addresses the growing demand for affordable quality groceries, a trend that has reshaped the UK grocery market in recent years.

Strategic Context

The Godalming store represents a significant bet on physical retail at a time when many supermarkets are rationalising their store estates. M&S's strategy of investing in larger, full-range foodhalls contrasts with the approach of some competitors who are focusing on smaller convenience formats or online-only operations.

Freudmann's comments about doubling the food business through investment in bigger stores and family value lines suggest that M&S sees physical retail as a growth channel, particularly for the weekly family shop where customers want to see and touch fresh produce before buying.

The store's location in a former Homebase unit also reflects the ongoing shift in retail property usage, with large-format stores being repurposed for grocery use as traditional DIY and home improvement retailers downsize or exit certain locations.

For those interested in broader retail trends, the Godalming opening comes amid a period of significant change in UK grocery, with political and economic factors shaping consumer behaviour and retailer strategies.

The store's success will be closely watched by industry analysts as an indicator of whether M&S's bet on large-format foodhalls can deliver the growth needed to double the food business. Early signs from the opening day suggest strong local demand, but sustained performance will depend on the store's ability to attract and retain weekly shoppers in a competitive market.

For shoppers in Godalming and the surrounding area, the new M&S Foodhall offers a convenient, comprehensive grocery shopping experience that combines the retailer's quality reputation with the space and range needed for a full weekly shop.