Marks and Spencer releases first images of store ahead of opening.

Mark and Spencer has released the first images of its new store opening in East London next month.

The M&S store at Stratford City, next to the 2012 Olympic Park, will be the third largest outlet for the famous British retailer after its Marble Arch and Bluewater stores. At 136,000 sq ft across four floors it is also 30 per cent bigger than another Westfield store in White City.

A team of 550 people have been recruited to work in the store, a mixture of new employees and transfers from other stores.

It will be the most carbon efficient M&S store to date with sun pipes providing natural light to staff areas. The Foodhall uses a hydrocarbon refrigeration system significantly reducing environmental impact.

And nearly 100 per cent of the store’s heating, hot water and cooling will be provided by Westfield shopping centre’s own power plant.

The M&S store will also feature a ‘green living’ roof providing natural insulation and encouraging biodiversity by attracting native wildlife such as insects and bees to the site.