The aim is to have this open by Christmas, said head of M&S Guernsey Greg Yeoman.
Part one of the project involves having a new area of car parking created behind the St Martin’s store, which will revert to parking after the temporary building comes down.
Rihoy’s is the main contractor for the project, while specialists who have created buildings like this before have been in the island to install foundations – 34 metal rods called vulcan anchors which are sunk 3m into the earth and then opened up.
Next week the company will return to build the main aluminium structure, which will ultimately house all of the products that are sold in the existing shop, as it will have the same floor space of 4,000 sq ft.
He was confident that the structure would survive whatever weather was thrown at it.
‘These buildings can last 20 years.
‘They’re described as temporary because people use them in a temporary way,’ he said.
When it opens, the new store will have 7,000 sq ft of floor space and be the biggest M&S in the island and feature up-to-date equipment and an extended range of goods, said Mr Yeoman.
A smaller separate temporary building will be used to provide facilities for staff members, including a kitchen and toilets.
Mr Yeoman was unable to say when the new bigger shop might be open.
‘The length of time it will take to build the brand new, bigger store is still to be confirmed, but we are confident that, in the interim, our temporary store will offer customers the same shopping experience they are used to.’
M&S was grateful to customers for their patience and flexibility during any disruption, he said.
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