**The big picture:** When council leaders [announced the deal to sell the former Toys'R'Us site in Copdock to M&S](/articles/fantastic-news-for-ipswich-council-leaders-back-ms-expansion-plans), they were keen to emphasise that the new development would coexist with the brand's town centre store on Westgate Street.
M&S have no contractual obligation to maintain their Westgate Street store in the town centre once the development of their new Copdock store is completeOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
**What they said:** "The investment has been enabled by Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council, as owners of the Freehold and Long Leasehold of the site and **secures an ongoing M&S presence in Ipswich town centre**," said the announcement.
Colin Kreidewolf, Chair of Ipswich Borough Assets, Ipswich Borough Council’s property investment arm, said "The sale to M&S is coupled with the retailer **retaining its Ipswich town centre presence**."
Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks noted the deal "**retains their long-standing presence in the town centre.**"
Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Ipswich. Ipswich gets the best of M&S with a new store at Copdock **and a town centre store**."
Plans for the new "brand-defining" 60,000 sq ft store in CopdockM&S
**What's emerged since:** Responding to questions from Ipswich.co.uk about the terms of the deal, MacDonald said that the council "worked hard during the negotiations to ensure that Ipswich was able to maintain its M&S high street presence," but he confirmed "there is no contractual agreement."
He added that M&S are "investing significant amounts of money in the Westgate St store," though no figures have been disclosed and neither M&S nor the council has provided specific details about the investment in the Westgate Street site.
**Why it matters:** The revelation raises serious questions about the long-term future of M&S's high street presence and prompts fresh concerns about the council’s commitment to Ipswich’s town centre. Ipswich.co.uk editor, Oliver Rouane-Williams shares his take below.
**The bottom line:** Despite the positive language used by both council leaders and M&S, the lack of contractual obligation over its town centre future means M&S's long-term high street presence remains entirely at the company's discretion.