Celebrating its 50th anniversary on the bustling Great British High Street, Primark is set to inject over £100 million into its UK stores. This substantial investment encompasses over £75 million allocated specifically for new initiatives within the UK retail sector this year.
- New £75 million investment in its UK store estate to take Primark’s total investment to more than £100 million in its UK stores this year
- The retailer plans to transform existing stores and open the doors on much anticipated new stores in Bury St. Edmunds, Teesside Park and Glasgow Fort – with new stores now confirmed for Epsom and Newbury
- 700 new jobs created in 2024 as a result of new stores and extensions
Primark’s 50th anniversary on the renowned Great British High Street comes with a pledge to invest over £100 million in its UK stores throughout 2024. This announcement includes more than £75 million earmarked for fresh investments in UK retail this year, following through on plans disclosed back in November 2022.
This year, Primark is poised to unveil brand-new stores in Bury St. Edmunds, slated to open on March 6th, along with Teesside Park and Glasgow Fort later in the year. Additionally, some of the most extensive store extensions ever undertaken by Primark are in the pipeline: London’s Westfield Stratford store is set to nearly double in size, exceeding 81,000 sq. ft to become the second largest Primark outlet in the capital. Looking to the north, Metrocentre in Gateshead, Tyneside, will expand to almost 80,000 sq. ft of total shopping space upon its reopening later this year.
With new store locations and expansions combined, Primark anticipates reaching 195 stores and almost 8 million sq. ft of selling space by year’s end. These new stores and significant extensions are projected to generate nearly 700 new job opportunities across various roles, from retail assistants to store managers.
In addition to opening new locations, Primark will relocate several stores in Bradford, High Wycombe, and Bolton to upgraded sites. Furthermore, 15 existing stores are slated for refurbishment this year as part of the ongoing refit program, encompassing upgrades to decor and store fixtures alongside the continued rollout of LED lighting—a step forward in Primark’s commitment to halve its carbon footprint by 2030.
Two new store locations in Epsom, Surrey, and Newbury, Berkshire, have been confirmed and are scheduled to open from 2025 onwards, contributing over 55,000 sq. ft of new retail space. This expansion is poised to invigorate local shopping destinations.
Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark, remarked:
“We’ve undergone significant transformations since opening our first store in Great Britain in Derby in 1974, but at our core, we remain true to our mission. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing exceptional value on the high street, making fashionable clothing more affordable and accessible for all. This latest investment underscores our dedication to the UK high street, fostering larger, improved stores, and creating hundreds of new job opportunities nationwide.”
Since the inauguration of its Derby store in September 1974, Primark has expanded its presence across the UK, currently employing over 30,000 individuals and operating 192 stores nationwide, spanning cities, town centers, shopping centers, and retail parks.
Over the years, Primark stores have evolved to offer a diverse range of services to enrich the shopping experience, including beauty studios, food and drink cafes, and outlets such as Tasty by Greggs and Disney Cafes. In 2022, the introduction of Wornwell, a collaboration with the Vintage Wholesale company, brought pre-loved vintage clothing into Primark stores.
Last year, Primark introduced a Click + Collect service to 57 stores across Greater London, the North West of England, and North Wales, offering customers another convenient shopping option and reinforcing the appeal of local high streets.
Beyond the UK, Primark has expanded its footprint to 15 other countries and aspires to reach 530 stores across its global markets by the end of 2026.
List of Primark’s UK stores included in the refit programme this year are:
- Oxford Street East, 14-28 Oxford Street, Fitzrovia, London W1D 1AU
- Bury, The Rock Shopping Centre, South Street, Bury BL9 0ND
- Cwmbran Shopping Centre, General Rees Square, Cwmbran NP44 1AH
- Southport, 1 Chapel Street, Southport PR8 1AE
- Yeovil, 19 Middle Street, Yeovil BA20 1LF
- Barnstaple, 49 – 52 High Street, Barnstaple EX31 1BZ
- Hackney, 365 – 371 Mare Street, London E8 1HY
- Newry, Unit 55 Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry BT35 8HJ
- Birkenhead, 212 – 218 Grange Road, Birkenhead CH41 6EA
- Hounslow, 165 – 169 High Street, Hounslow TW3 1QL
- Chelmsford, 9 High Chelmer, Chelmsford CM1 1XL
- Stockport, Chestergate, Stockport SK1 1NT
- Telford, 208 Dean Street, The Telford Centre, Telford TF3 4AP
- Chester, 52-60 Foregate St, Chester CH1 1HA
- Cambridge, 62-74 Burleigh St, Cambridge CB1 1DJ
