Visit to Marks and Spencer, Ellesmere Port
On a cold April morning a group of Kelsall W.I. members drove to the new Marks & Spencer store near Ellesmere Port. We were greeted by a staff representative who told us that this is the second largest store in the country, Marble Arch being the first. She took us on a 2-hour "behind the scenes" tour of this very impressive site, both inside and out.
Ecology is the name of the game and tremendous time and effort has been put into the construction of the store. The roof has the largest span in the world and is shaped to enable rain-water to be collected which is then used for flushing the toilets. She pointed out tiny holes in walls for swifts to nest, trees and shrubs planted to encourage the birds to use the boxes provided and to block out the sound of transport.
Economic refrigeration is important, also light saving. Inside, out of the cold, the new in-store ordering system was explained, and we were told how the different types of hangers are recycled. Pieces of goats cheese and different types of pies were handed round - all very welcome as well as being delicious.
It was an interesting tour, but the fact is the building of this store will probably be the cause of the Chester branch minimizing its size, which is very sad!
Ann Tindall
April 2013
Ecology is the name of the game and tremendous time and effort has been put into the construction of the store. The roof has the largest span in the world and is shaped to enable rain-water to be collected which is then used for flushing the toilets. She pointed out tiny holes in walls for swifts to nest, trees and shrubs planted to encourage the birds to use the boxes provided and to block out the sound of transport.
Economic refrigeration is important, also light saving. Inside, out of the cold, the new in-store ordering system was explained, and we were told how the different types of hangers are recycled. Pieces of goats cheese and different types of pies were handed round - all very welcome as well as being delicious.
It was an interesting tour, but the fact is the building of this store will probably be the cause of the Chester branch minimizing its size, which is very sad!
Ann Tindall
April 2013