MARKS & Spencer is celebrating its 100th year trading in Southend, with a three-day event, from Wednesday, August 21 to Friday, August 23.
The store opened in 1914 at 64 High Street and was purchased from the London Penny Bazaar Company.
Fifteen years later it closed and then reopened on June 15, 1929 at 56 High Street.
Southend mayor Brian Kelly will visit on Wednesday, August 21, to kick off the celebrations, while on Friday, there will be live music to entertain shoppers.
A special exhibition will also showcase the company’s heritage, including photographs, documents and examples of products sold throughout the years, as well as the first ever employee uniform.
Irfan Patel, store manager at Southend, said: “As one of the longest standing retailers in town, this is an important milestone.”
Customers will be offered a personal shopper service, food tastings sessions and special promotion within the cafe, where the first ten customers every day will be rewarded with a £10 gift card and complementary breakfast.
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