M&S fever has officially taken over Elephant and Castle, as hundreds of shoppers queued outside the brand-new Foodhall ahead of its opening on Thursday, 12 November.

The store, located on Ragstone Street, attracted more than 200 people, with some arriving as early as 7.20am despite the doors not opening until 8am. The queue stretched around the block before the store had even opened.

However, shoppers weren't just waiting in line to purchase goods. The opening also came with a few treats for early visitors, including free M&S tote bags for the first 300 shoppers, in-store tastings and a special appearance from Percy Pig, complete with a giant festive inflatable.

The opening comes amid a growing craze for M&S's newly launched Chocolate and Cornflake Cookies, which have been causing a stir on social media. The sweet treat has already attracted huge attention, with shoppers recently filmed scrambling to get their hands on fresh batches at M&S's Angel branch in Islington. Footage of the scenes went viral, with some comparing the rush to COVID-era panic buying.

The cookies are part of a wider wave of excitement around M&S Food, with the retailer's latest launches regularly attracting attention online. From new bakery treats to unusual snack combinations, shoppers have been sharing reviews, taste tests and videos of their latest finds, helping some products become viral sensations. The retailer has also benefited from the online popularity of its product development director, Kathryn Turner, whose videos showcasing new food launches have helped build anticipation among customers.

With the cookies becoming one of the supermarket's latest viral food sensations, shoppers heading to the new Elephant and Castle Foodhall may also be hoping to get their hands on a pack.

The new Foodhall offers shoppers a range of everyday essentials, fresh produce, bakery items and grab-and-go food options. The store is also expected to create more than 60 local jobs.

The opening forms part of the wider £500 million regeneration of Elephant and Castle, with the new town centre bringing several retailers to the area, including Mango, Oliver Bonas, Superdrug, Starbucks and Pret A Manger.

However, the redevelopment has also sparked conversations about gentrification and how the changing high street will affect long-standing residents and independent traders.

With shoppers already turning out in their hundreds, it seems the new M&S has certainly made an impression on its opening day.