Marks and Spencer are to take up a 647,000 sq. ft. retail warehouse on Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone, it was announced this week.

The move will create over 300 jobs for the local area as Marks and Spencer seek to expand their Yorkshire operation from their current distribution centre in Bradford.

The Sheffield development will become the firm’s hub for visual merchandising, store equipment and home furniture. The Bradford site will remain operational, and will deal with clothing and home items.

The letting was secured by CBRE Global Investors.

“This letting underlines the quality of the property and its location on the M1 corridor,” said Rob Trevor, senior director at CBRE.

“It also reflects the current strength of the logistics market with the on-going take up of existing distribution space across the whole of the UK. We look forward to working closely with M&S as they embark on the fit out of the buildings over the next few months.”

The announcement marks the latest chapter in Marks and Spencer’s long relationship with the Yorkshire area. The company was founded in Leeds in 1884 and has retained a strong employment profile in the region ever since.

Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore welcomed the development on the Enteprise Zone:

“This is just another example of confidence in Sheffield.”

“More than 300 jobs for people across the city region is great news. Sheffield is at the heart of the UK and is ideally located to provide businesses with a central point to distribute across the country.

Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone recently released a video about their Zone, showing the benefits for business of locating to the area: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZyPooNy1z0.