MandM Direct to move into former Debenhams shop in Hereford

Online fashion retailer MandM Direct has spent the past two years refurbishing the upper floor floors of the empty unit after being granted permission to turn them into offices. 

The Herefordshire firm has been based in Leominster since 1987, with a warehouse also in Moreton-on-Lugg.

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It is one of Europe's leading online off-price retailers with over three million active customers. The company also has several dedicated local market websites across Europe and delivers to over countries across the world.

However, from May 20, MandM's new headquarters will be in Hereford, where the 47,000 square-foot space will accommodate the company's 280 employees.

Various jobs are currently being advertised on recruitment website Indeed ahead of the move. This includes a programme manager, an IT analyst, a stylist and a cleaner.

How the new new offices will look

MandM Direct has supplied us with Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings of how the new offices will look.

Tom Goode, customer and e-commerce director at MandM, said: "This is an exciting move for MandM, helping support the rejuvenation of the city centre.

"Leominster has been our home for the past 26 years and the move to Hereford is the next step in our journey and one that we’re all excited about.”

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The unit has been empty since 2021 after Debenhams went into administration. 

The following year, MandM Direct started talks with British Land, the company that owns the Old Market.

Planning permission granted

Herefordshire Council granted permission with conditions, including one that means matching materials, cladding profiles and colours, and finishes must be used.

New windows are in in place which face Newmarket, while the Debenhams sign has been removed. 

Plans state that inside, the escalator from the ground floor to the first floor of the unit will be removed and infilled.  

The only objection came from Hayley Thomas, of Church Street in Leominster, who said the old shop should be turned into "anything but more offices".

She suggested that smaller units with individual shops, an activity centre for children, a large café or a clothing store might be better.

Last year, the ground floor of the building was put under offer. However, nothing has since been reported about whether there have been any interested parties.  We have approached British Land for comment.