UK | As the UK commemorated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Marks & Spencer marked this historic occasion through a landmark event sponsorship.
At the Royal Albert Hall, M&S sponsored the dance floor at a special VE Day 80 event, presented by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. The arena will be transformed into a vibrant space where the Swing Patrol will delight audiences with Lindy Hop moves, and Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova will perform.
This event, hosted by Katherine Jenkins OBE, Dan Walker, and Myleene Klass MBE, and broadcast on Classic FM, will bring the VE Day atmosphere to life, 80 years on.
Adding a taste of nostalgia to the celebrations, M&S Foodhalls have introduced a limited-edition Choc-o-Sandwich cake, a beloved favourite inspired by an M&S recipe from over 60 years ago.
This classic treat, featuring layers of fluffy Victoria sponge, strawberry jam, and vanilla clotted cream buttercream, enrobed in thick milk chocolate, is available for a limited time in its original-style St Michael packaging.
Customers can also commemorate VE Day with an exclusive keepsake: a commemorative shortbread tin filled with melt-in-the-mouth buttery chocolate chip Scottish shortbread squares. The tin features a poignant design: a depiction of ‘The Marksman’ Spitfire, funded by M&S colleagues during the war and painted by renowned artist Steven Heyen.
For the commemorative cake and shortbread tin, five percent of sales will be donated to the Royal British Legion, continuing M&S's long-standing support for the charity, for whom they have raised GBP 9.5 million since 2009.
In addition to these initiatives and commemorative products, M&S highlighted two colleagues' remarkable connection to the RAF Cadets at its Bury St Edmunds store.
From a national sponsorship bringing the celebratory spirit of VE Day to life, to delicious treats and a deep-rooted legacy with the RAF Cadets, M&S was honoured to mark the 80th anniversary of this pivotal moment in history and support the ongoing work of the Royal British Legion.
