A HUGE investment of £1.3 million promises to put the sparkle back into Blackpool's Marks and Spencer store on Church Street.

Work has already started to transform the premises into a shoppers' paradise with "an altogether brighter and fresher feel".

The store's new look will be complemented by a new range of clothes, lingerie, homeware and food.

The overhaul will include new display techniques, improved lighting and new flooring. It will also feature a 40-seater coffee shop -- Cafe Revive -- and a state-of-the-art beauty shop.

Store manager Steve O'Brien commented: "I am delighted about the renewal. It is just what the Blackpool store needs and will make a dramatic difference to our customers. It signals the start of what we hope will be a retail renaissance in Blackpool -- hopefully it will give other retailers in Blackpool the confidence to act."

"Clothes-wise we will be one of the first stores in the country to stock the new designer label -- Per Una by top designer George Davies. This will be aimed at 25 to 35-year-olds. We will also keep our core ranges and classic stock, which appeal to the more mature shopper."

There will also be more sales assistants -- creating 15 new jobs -- improved services such as refunds available at all till points and refurbished fitting rooms, all with a fresh, modern new look.

The initial renewal concept has already been tried in three or four stores across the country and has proved very successful. There are a number of stores in the North West, including Preston, which are also to be re-vamped in a similar vein to the Blackpool store.