The largest station-based M&S store was opened this week in the centre of Waterloo Station by franchise partner SSP UK and Network Rail.

The new 9,500 sq ft store was created by extending a former M&S Simply Food into Waterloo’s new retail balcony. The store now offers womenswear, menswear and lingerie, plus an expanded range of 2,200 food lines across 4,525 sq ft.

“Having operated M&S Simply Food at busy stations and airports across the UK for many years, SSP has a strong track record in managing retail outlets in the travel sector,” said Simon Smith, CEO UK and Ireland at SSP.

“We have a sound understanding of the needs of our customers and logistics of the station environment, which made us the ideal partner for M&S and Network Rail as we embark on this exciting new venture.”

SSP UK runs 58 M&S stores, but this is only the second general merchandise store in the estate after its St Pancreas site. Before being transformed, the M&S Simply Food outlet in Waterloo yielded the highest sales per square foot of any of SSP’s M&S stores.

SSP UK is a division of SSP Group, which operates food and beverage brands in travel locations all over the world.