Studio brief 01 - Leeds public spaces - Secondary research

In understanding the history of the establishment of M&S there is then the opportunity to accurately portraying the values and history of it, extensive and varied research will provide information and move forward development and understanding. 

M&S's origin

Marks and Spencers began with one figure, Michael Marks a polish refugee. He fled his hometown as a young man from Slonim for a new life in Britain to escape prejudice. 


At first, he spoke no English, had nothing and knew nothing about trade or business. He arrived in Leeds in 1884 a city known as 'Muck and Brass' Leeds was the hub of manufacturing industries, most particularly, the rapidly developing clothing trade,  it was here he went in search of work. Marks was working for a company in Leeds, called Barran, which employed refugees offered work by a well-known clothier which was the beginning of his prominent career in establishing his business. 

Michael Marks (the founder of Marks and Spencers)

Thomas Spencer (co-founder of Marks and Spencers) 

What made the market so unique was its gimmick of everything being sold for just a penny they're selling point was their slogan "Don't ask the price, it's a penny!"  What also made the market stall unique was that there was no admin fee to enter, meaning that there was no price to be paid to look around the stall, making it much more accessible to more people of all backgrounds, It's within these various things where most of the business came from. 

Original Penny bazaar (artist depiction)

The depiction of this image reveals the amount of stock that was provided at the stall and what it conveyed with its appearance and presented. As well as this there is the consideration of the location of the market is also part of understanding the establishment. It was located in the very centre of Leeds where many people congregated.  With Marks and Spencers being such a big name within a consumerist context there brings an importance in representing it as a staple of Leeds, especially with such a long history and success.

What was noteworthy was the amount and range of products that were sold at the Bazaar.The knowledge of these items came from both primary visual research and secondary research. However, there was limited information on the Bazaar itself possible because of the time it was created.

This secondary research also revealed more in depth understanding of the sold merchandise that was sold. In knowing this there is an oppertunity to accuretly portray the establishment in a variety of ways