1-198-985 - From the Jewish Chronicle Archive/Heritage Images

Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer, c 1900. In 1894 Russian-born Polish refugee Michael Marks (1859-1907), left, joined Thomas Spencer (1851-1905), on the right, to form the partnership of Marks & Spencer. The first Marks and Spencer shop opened in Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester in the same year. By the turn of the 20th century there were 12 shops and 24 covered market stalls around the country including Cardiff, Leeds, Bath and branches in London.