Handforth’s original name was Handforth cum-Bosden, and for many years it lie in the parish of Cheadle. The name “Handforth” is believed to originate from the Saxon ‘Hanna’s Ford’, when there was a crossing on the River Dean. The first mention of Handforth is in a charter dated between 1233 and 1236.
Handforth Dean was constructed in 1995, with the Wilmslow bypass (A34) being partially funded by the development company behind the scheme.
Covering an area of 40 acres, Handforth Dean was opened in October the same year with Tesco, M&S and Alders, It’s creation quickly helped increase house prices in the district by around 15% through making the area an even more desirable and convenient place to live. In 2005 Alders closed and BHS Home and Outfit jointly took the vacant space. In 2007 Tesco added a second floor to handle the increasing number of customers visiting the store. After the completion of construction work, the store was converted into a Tesco Extra superstore open 24 hours a day. In 2016 BHS Home closed its doors and ceased trading.
Handforth Dean is a highly successful joint venture between Tesco and Marks & Spencer. Within the Centre you’ll find a large Tesco Extra superstore, one of the country’s biggest M&S stores, Boots and JD Sports. Since its opening in 1995 this Handforth Dean has become a shopping destination for many thousands of people across the region.
Tesco has described its Wilmslow Handforth Dean premises as its “flagship store”. Footballing legend David Beckham and his wife, fashion entrepreneur and singer Victoria Beckham particularly enjoyed visiting the Marks & Spencer store, which in 2002, was acknowledged to be the most profitable outside of London. It remains one of the largest M&S stores in the country.
The Tesco Extra Superstore is currently in the top 10 in terms of sales whilst sales volumes at M&S Handforth Dean place it in the company’s top 5. The busy fuel sales forecourt and convenience store operated by Tesco is rated as one of the highest in sales terms right across the UK.
Handforth Dean’s newest edition is JD Sports which opened its doors earlier this year.
