M&S bid to cash in on Primark
Marks & Spencer has splashed the cash in a bid to boost trade when popular chain Primark opens its new store at the Merry Hill centre.
M & S is bringing in face painters, stilt walkers and DJs in the hope the "Primark factor" will boost trade over the Bank Holiday weekend.
In contrast, discount clothing stores are slashing prices in the hope of taking custom away from the flagship Primark store, which opens its doors officially at the Brierley Hill shopping centre on Friday.
Thousands of people are expected to queue well before opening time to snatch a bargain.
And Marks & Spencer, situated close by, are hoping to tempt some of the customers who would not normally come to Merry Hill in their direction.
Chiefs at the Merry Hill store have persuaded national bosses to pay thousands of pounds to hire professional entertainers.
Centre staff will also be handing out free tickets which shoppers need to scan under ultra-violet light in a special "pod" in the store to see if they have won a £1,000 prize.
M&S manager Rob Beese said: "We are looking forward to the opening of Primark as it will bring more people to the centre."
