Marks and Spencer plan to close one of their two city centre stores in Chester, bringing all their departments under one roof in Foregate Street.

Work gets under way this week on the extensive redevelopment of the company’s established Foregate Street premises which have long been the city centre home of M&S.

But the branch on the opposite side of the street - which currently houses the homeware and menswear departments - is due to close.

This news comes little more than a year after Marks and Spencer opened its biggest store in the UK outside London at Cheshire Oaks in August 2012.

However, the retail giant insists this is not the reason for the Chester decision.

A spokewoman said: “The closure of the satellite means we can bring everything under one roof which enables the implementation of the full modernisation programme and makes it more convenient for shoppers, enhancing their shopping experience.”

And although the revamped branch will not be expanding in size, the company is insisting that all departments and staff will be moving to the south side of the road which currently houses the food hall, womenswear, lingerie and childrenswear.

Regarding the future of the Foregate Street premises they are about to vacate, the spokeswoman added: “We are currently holding discussions with other retailers to take up the building’s lease.”

The M&S modernisation will see a new beauty department and bakery, as well as new decor and layout.

New features at the store will include:

A new, dedicated beauty department, Your Beauty, which will offer an edit of some of the leading beauty brands from around the world alongside M&S own brand beauty ranges. The new department will be located at the front of the store on the ground floor.

A revamped food hall with more than 5,500 food and drink lines available, including the popular Gastropub and Cook With... ranges. New special event zones will showcase current food trends and events.

The new format bakery has been designed to have an artisanal feel, with speciality breads, pastries and cakes freshly baked every day.

The modernised, 250-seat M&S Café will serve hot and cold dishes, desserts, sandwiches and an extensive selection of drinks and Fairtrade tea and coffee.

Store manager Jonathan Bradburn said: “We’re thrilled to be getting a new,  modernised store, which will bring an even better shopping experience for our customers.

“It will  conveniently bring all our clothing and food ranges all under one roof.

“I think customers will  be delighted by the changes we have in store and we can’t wait for them to see it  when we officially unveil the modernised store in 2014.”

M&S Chester will remain open throughout the refurbishment works. Work is expected to be completed in spring 2014.