Marks & Spencer opens shop in the marketplace where its founder first set up stall 130 years ago Humble beginnings: An artist's impression of the very first stall run by Michael Marks - which was located in the outside part of the city's marketplace Pride: Staff members Chris Farren (left) and Patrick Gunn proudly display a basket of the firm's goods outside the new store which is next to the firm's centenary clock (right) was placed in market in 1984 Penny Bazaar: The new Marks & Spencer shop features a small display detailing the firm's history and sells a range of sweets, mugs, cards and other items The Marks in Time exhibition will show off part of the archive, featuring photographs from the firm's hugely successful history. The M&S Company Archive has a collection of over 70,000 historic items and was unveiled at the University of Leeds' Michael Marks Building in March 2012. It charts the development of the household name from its roots at Kirkgate Market to the present day. Phil Edwards, Deputy Store Manager of M&S Leeds Briggate and Manager of the new stall, said: 'We have had a lot of support from people locally in Leeds about the launch of the new stall and we are very excited to be bringing M&S back to its birthplace. Founders: The men who gave us the famous Marks & Spencer brand - Michael Marks (left) and Thomas Spencer. Both photographs were taken circa 1900 Roots: The arcade where Marks & Spencer was launched (circa 1909). Despite their early success, neither Marks or Spencer could have foreseen the scale of their firm's future success As it was: The market hall in 1910. Marks & Spencer now has more than 1,000 stores in 40 countries I am looking forward to welcoming customers old and new on 15th March and showcasing the history of the company. Marks & Spencer has 703 stores in the United Kingdom and 361 stores spread across more than 40 countries, and specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products. Its revenue in 2012 was nearly £10 billion. This weekend, M&S will also unveil a new Heritage Trail in partnership with Leeds City Council. The self-guided walk on Saturday will start at the Kirkgate store and finish at the M&S company archive, taking in places of historic interest for the company around the city. Alison Houston, Head of the M&S Company Archive, said: 'We are very excited about giving customers the chance to experience the origins of Marks & Spencer right inside its original setting at Kirkgate Market. Celebration: M&S is revisiting its past in Leeds to mark the opening of its company archive to the public Origins: The famous brand began life as a stall in Kirkgate Market - which is still a popular retail space M&S has deep historical links to Leeds, so the Heritage Trail is a unique opportunity to learn more about the origins of the company nearly 130 years ago and its connection to various parts of the city centre from 1884 through to the present day. Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member for development and the economy said: 'It is great to see M&S returning to its roots in Kirkgate Market. The market is an excellent place for new businesses to start up and test their products before taking the big leap onto the high street. I am sure that this new stall, along with the heritage trail, will stimulate great interest among visitors to the market and preview the extensive retail history M&S has in Leeds. I look forward to joining customer, tourists and historians taking the heritage trail around the city centre. Success: The firm's flagship store in London's Oxford Street The story of Marks & Spencer's remarkable success began in the 1880s when Michael Marks, a Polish Jew, joined forces with local man Thomas Spencer - a cashier. Marks was working for a company in Leeds, called Barran, which employed refugees. A associate of his called Isaac Jowitt Dewhirst lent Mr Marks £5 which he used to establish his Penny Bazaar on Kirkgate Market, in Leeds. Marks had little English when he arrived in Britain and received some tutelage from Dewhirst to help him with his business. But the most important contribution made by Dewhirst to the firm's success was when he introduced him to Spencer, who was known as an excellent book-keeper. Marks began renting a permanent stall in Leeds' covered market, Kirkgate, in 1894 and invited Spencer to become his partner. Next to the stall was a poster with the words 'Don't Ask the Price, It's a Penny.' After tasting early success, the pair rapidly expanded the business, opening market stalls around the North West of England. The firm eventually spread throughout the UK, before opening stores in France, Canada, Hong Kong and around 40 other countries. M&S in now best known for the quality of its products - and has more recently become a top destination for discerning food shoppers. The firm had a global revenues of nearly £10 billion in 2012.