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Photo gallery: Flagship Marks & Spencer has been at the heart of Aberdeen for 80 years

The retailer opened its doors at 22 St Nicholas Street in 1944 - the same site the present-day shop stands now.

1982: Marks & Spencer's flagship Aberdeen store on St Nicholas Street. Image: DC Thomson
1982: Marks & Spencer's flagship Aberdeen store on St Nicholas Street. Image: DC Thomson

Marks & Spencer has been the lynchpin of the retail landscape in Aberdeen city centre since 1944, but it is soon to bid farewell to its flagship store.

On February 2, it will be exactly 80 years since the retailer opened its doors at 22 St Nicholas Street – the same site the present-day shop stands now.

Marks & Spencer took over the premises of Morrison’s Economic Stores at the corner of St Nicholas Street – an acquisition overseen by chairman Simon Marks himself.

Tram lines and horse-drawn carts on Aberdeen's St Nicholas Street in this atmospheric picture, believed to be from the 1930s, with Morrison's store on the corner of Netherkirkgate which is now the site of Marks and Spencer
1930s: Tram lines and horse-drawn carts on Aberdeen’s St Nicholas Street in this atmospheric picture, believed to be from the 1930s, with Morrison’s store on the corner of Netherkirkgate which is now the site of Marks and Spencer. Image: DC Thomson

The store continued trading under the Morrison’s name until 1945 when the emporium was brought in line with Marks & Spencer’s other 236 shops in Britain at that time.

It was a perfect location for the retailer whose secret to success at that time was “linking up mass production with mass distribution”.

The opening of a food hall in 1949 only added to the shop’s runaway success.

Changing face of Marks & Spencer

And as early as 1944 there were talks of widening St Nicholas Street – a busy shopping haven on a direct tram route.

But these proposals didn’t come to fruition until the 1960s, and when they did, M&S was at the heart of the transformation.

In 1964, Marks and Spencer’s St Nicholas Street store was demolished, along with the buildings behind.

An Advert in the paper for the M&S
An improved food hall brought even more choice to Aberdonians. Image: DC Thomson

In its place rose the huge, brutalist facade that still dominates the remains of St Nicholas Street today.

At the time, it was the last word in modernity, M&S had certainly shaken off its old-world post-war shackles in Aberdeen.

The new flagship store stretched across Netherkirkgate and eradicated the neighbouring wynds.

When the gigantic store opened it had the largest single sales floor in any M&S store in Scotland.

But it was so vast that it opened in stages, the final phase finally opening in 1966.

An advert reading "Marks & Spencer Aberdeen new store - Second part now open with an even wider range of St Michael fashions"
The second phase of the store redevelopment brought extended fashion lines to Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson

With its continued success on the British high street, the store underwent further extensions in the 1980s.

And while its look has changed over the years, the one thing at the heart of its store has always been the staff and camaraderie.

It was the sort of shop where people dedicated decades of service and made friends for life – work friends that were more like family.

Staff were regularly in the Evening Express and Press & Journal – whether that was for supporting local causes by donating goods, raising vast sums of money for Aberdeen charities, or simply celebrating a colleague’s long service.

Those who worked there in the 1960s and ’70s might even remember having their uniforms inspected by the watchful eye of the manageress before they were allowed on the shop floor.

An advert in the paper reading "Marks & Spencer Aberdeen Completed new store now open"
1964: An advert for the opening of the final phase of Marks & Spencer in The Press and Journal. Image: DC Thomson

Having high standards is always something the retailer has prided itself in.

Even being caught with a top button open could see staff sent back to the staff room to smarten up.

These are the kinds of memories staff will carry with them when they depart from St Nicholas Street to its Union Square premises.

While it’s just one of a number of retailers than have departed Aberdeen’s shopping streets to move to malls, the shift of Marks and Spencer seems particularly significant.

What’s left behind will be a huge totem to Aberdeen’s once-thriving shopping thoroughfare.

In photos: Marks & Spencer Aberdeen 1940s-1970s

the original Marks and Spencer on Aberdeen's St Nicholas Street in 1945
1945: An unfamiliar view today, this is the original Marks & Spencer on Aberdeen’s St Nicholas Street – complete with tram lines – pictured in 1945, a year after it opened. Image: Submitted
Marks & Spencer, Aberdeen, as it looked in the 1950s
1950s: Marks & Spencer, Aberdeen, as it looked in the 1950s. Image: Submitted
The development of the M&S branch at St Nicholas Street in the 60s
1964: A bird’s eye view of the Marks & Spencer development at St Nicholas Street, Aberdeen. The skeleton of the new store was beginning to take shape and piles of rubble are the only reminder of the historic shops which used to stand at the corner of Netherkirkgate. Image: DC Thomson
St Nicholas Street in Aberdeen with lots of traffic
1965: A congested St Nicholas Street in Aberdeen with the new Marks & Spencer store under construction on the far right in this picture. Image: DC Thomson
Granite masons at work
1966: Granite masons working on the Marks & Spencer building in Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
A large group of staff members smiling at the camera in rows
1969: A happy group of Marks & Spencer staff pictured at their dinner-dance in the Tree Tops Hotel, Aberdeen, in December 1969. Image: Norma Gray.
Inside Marks & Spencer in Aberdeen at Christmas, lots of shoppers inside
1973: The annual Christmas crush was well under way at Marks & Spencer’s store in Aberdeen in December.
The once-unrestricted view down St Nicholas Street and George Street
1973: The once-unrestricted view down St Nicholas Street and George Street is now the Bon Accord St Nicholas Centre. Image: DC Thomson

Pictures: Marks & Spencer Aberdeen 1980s onwards

Marks & Spencer and St Nicholas Street as it looked before it was pedestrianised
1982: Marks & Spencer and St Nicholas Street as it looked before it was pedestrianised. Image: DC Thomson
Past and present staff at Marks & Spencer's in Aberdeen gathered to celebrate Markies' centenary with a party
1984: Past and present staff at Marks & Spencer’s in Aberdeen gathered to celebrate Markies’ centenary with a party. Image: Submitted
Marks and Spencer warehouse manager Douglas Melvin and his wife Rose making a toast with others behind them
1985: Marks & Spencer warehouse manager Douglas Melvin and his wife Rose, front centre, were the toast of the Aberdeen branch in April 1985 when they were honoured with a dinner in the Holiday Inn, Dyce, to mark Mr Melvin’s retirement after 36 years’ service with the store. Image: DC Thomson
Manager, Bill Neish handing a cheque to Dorothy Hately, secretary/treasurer for the North East of Scotland Music School, surrounded by young people with instruments
1987: Marks & Spencer manager Bill Neish, second left, presented a cheque for £400 to Dorothy Hately, centre, secretary/treasurer for the North East of Scotland Music School. Also at the presentation were, left to right, Lisa Henderson, Chris Weddle, Toby Davidson and Alec Bain. Image: DC Thomson
An elderly woman in a wheelchair surrounded by christmas stockings
1988: All tied up in Christmas stockings at the Marks & Spencer store in Aberdeen was Jean Thomson of Turriff, who took advantage of the shopping evening for the disabled. Image: DC Thomson
Members of the Marks and Spencer Bowling Club
1989: Members of the Marks & Spencer Bowling Club pictured at their presentation of trophies in the TUC Club, Aberdeen, October 1989. Image: Norma Gray.
Aberdeen's Marks and Spencer sports and social club members holding a giant cheque
1990: Aberdeen’s Marks & Spencer sports and social club committee for Childline donated £2735 to Childline North East chairwoman Trish Lively. Image: DC Thomson
Port Elphinstone Primary School pupils and an adult woman holding brightly coloured swimsuits
1994: Port Elphinstone Primary School pupils were the stars when Grampian Television filmed shots for the children’s series Small Talk in Aberdeen’s Marks & Spencer store in 1994. Programme editor Edi Stark helps the youngsters as they look over swimwear from the store. Image: DC Thomson
A view over the pedestrianised area outside Marks and Spencer in the late '90s
1997: A view over the pedestrianised area outside Marks & Spencer in the late ’90s. Image: DC Thomson
Four school pupils walking through M&S in Aberdeen
1998: Winners of the M&S school uniform competition were, from left, Ray Fitzpatrick, Gilcomston school; Rachel Hall, Broomhill; John Eddie, Burnhaven school, Peterhead; and Stacey Cruikshank, Oldmeldrum School. Image: DC Thomson
Marks and Spencer manager Ian Stott outside the Aberdeen store at Christmastime
1998: Marks & Spencer manager Ian Stott outside the Aberdeen store at Christmastime. Image: DC Thomson
Three rows of staff at M&S in Aberdeen
1999: Jackie Leslie, seated centre, with family and staff of Marks & Spencer who celebrated her 25 years service with the company at a party in the Caledonian Golf Club. Image: DC Thomson
A group of staff toasting
1999: 25 years service with Marks & Spencer was celebrated by Jackie Leslie, right, with colleagues Betty McHattie, Andrea Byiers, Margaret Thomson and Ann Sangster. Image: DC Thomson
School pupils in the store
1999: As part of a class project on healthy eating, eight-year-old Rachel Legdon and her Ferryhill primary 4 classmates took a trip to Marks & Spencer. Image: DC Thomson
The staff of the Foodhall department of Marks and Spencer, Michelle Christie, Caroline Christie, Elaine McKelvie and Alison Beaton, celebrating their spring night out RUA club, Aberdeen.
1999: The staff of the Foodhall department of Marks & Spencer, Michelle Christie, Caroline Christie, Elaine McKelvie and Alison Beaton, celebrating their spring night out RUA club, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
The staff of the Foodhall department of Marks and Spencer
1999: The staff of the Foodhall department of Marks & Spencer celebrating their spring night out RUA club, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
Kemnay Primary pupil Rachael Rodger shows her winning website page to Marks and Spencer dep store manager Richard Gilbert
1999: Kemnay Primary pupil Rachael Rodger shows her winning website page to Marks & Spencer dep store manager Richard Gilbert when he showed her round the Aberdeen stores CCTV dept. Image: DC Thomson
Admin assistant Lynn Keith, centre, celebrated 25 years' service at Marks & Spencer with colleagues Irene Selbie, Jane Green, Linda Duncan and Roslyn Taylor at Nigg Bay golf club, Aberdeen
1999: Admin assistant Lynn Keith, centre, celebrated 25 years’ service at Marks & Spencer with colleagues Irene Selbie, Jane Green, Linda Duncan and Roslyn Taylor at Nigg Bay golf club, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
Admin assistant Lynn Keith, centre, celebrated 25 years service at Marks & Spencer with family and friends at Nigg Bay golf club, Aberdeen
1999: Admin assistant Lynn Keith, centre, celebrated 25 years service at Marks & Spencer with family and friends at Nigg Bay golf club, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
Lewis Thomson with his new Dons shirt signed by Aberdeen winger Ben Thornley at the launch of the refurbished Marks & Spencer store. On the left is Peter Donohoe regional manager for Mark & Spencer.
2001: Lewis Thomson with his new Dons shirt signed by Aberdeen winger Ben Thornley at the launch of the refurbished Marks & Spencer store. On the left is Peter Donohoe regional manager for Mark & Spencer. Image: DC Thomson
A customer and employee
2001: Customer Kathleen Thompson gets some advice from Sales assistant Kim Petrie at Marks & Spencer, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
Some of Marks & Spencer staff sitting on and standing around a sofa and armchair set in the shop
2001: Some of the Marks & Spencer staff who helped raise £12,000 for two local charities Grampian Autistic Society and Archway. Image: DC Thomson
Aberdeen FC player Kevin Rutkiewicz and two school pupils in front of a stall display
2002: Rebecca Smith and Jamie Wilson, both 11, from Kingswells Primary School with Aberdeen FC player Kevin Rutkiewicz who took part in the launch of the ‘Rainbow of Hope’ fund at Aberdeen Marks & Spencer. Image: DC Thomson
M&S on St Nicholas Street, Aberdeen, in 2002.
2002: M&S on St Nicholas Street, Aberdeen, in 2002. Image: DC Thomson
Marks and Spencer staff with a giant teddy bear
2002: Marks and Spencer staff who helped raise funds for Archie’s and Whizz-Kids. Image: DC Thomson
Christmas Eve shoppers queuing at the entrance to the shop
2003: Earlybirds were queuing up to get into Marks & Spencer in Aberdeen just after 7.30am on Christmas Eve. Image: DC Thomson
M&S staff members jumping in the air, each holding up signs that in full reads "£12000"
2003: Staff at Aberdeen’s Marks and Spencer store were delighted to be handing over a total of £12,000 to two charities selected by employees after various fundraising activities. Ensuring the handover was a lot of fun were, from left, Graeme Cumming, Ann Reid, Paula Maitland, Jenny Wright, Julie Fraser and Ann Sangster. Image: DC Thomson
Two men, a woman and a boy in a pram
2004: Finlay Campbell, aged 2, wasn’t too sure about eating his swedes when he visited M&S Aberdeen with step- gran Heather Reid where they met Jim Fowlie (centre), Aberdeen Angus beef farmer of Peterhead, and George Gammy, right, swede grower of Laurencekirk. Image: DC Thomson
A woman standing among the clothing rails
2004: Store Visual Merchandising Manager Jane Buchanan in the Aberdeen Marks and Spencer. Image: DC Thomson
Brave staff at Marks and Spencer ready for their abseil down the building.
2009: Brave staff at Marks and Spencer ready for their abseil down the building. Image: DC Thomson
A woman in an apron reading "Marks & Spencer celebrating 125 years" outside the Aberdeen shop
2009: People queued up outside Marks and Spencer’s in Aberdeen to grab a bargain as the store dropped some of its prices to a penny, to celebrate 125 years of trading. Image: DC Thomson

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