It was a bittersweet moment for Poole’s High Street when, on January 8, 2022, the store closed its doors for the very last time, marking the end of a retail legacy that spanned more than half a century.
The store’s journey in the heart of Poole was one of growth and transformation.
February 1980 The Second phase of the Poole Arndale Centre being built.. (Image: Echo)
M&S first moved into the complex in 1971 back when it was known as the Arndale Centre.
At the time, the shopping centre was only two years old.
The new branch was an ambitious move, boasting more than double the footprint of the original shop located at 105-107 High Street.
In 1988, as part of a massive £7 million redevelopment, the Arndale was rebranded.
The refurbished Dolphin Centre made its debut in 1989, complete with its then-futuristic panoramic lift and new escalators.
Marks & Spencer when the Arndale Centre opened in 1971. (Image: Echo)
For more than 50 years, the branch was a staple for locals, surviving decades of changing trends and economic shifts.
While the shutters have stayed down this time, the store leaves behind a lifetime of memories for the generations of shoppers who walked its aisles.