Marks, fleeing from anti-Jewish persecution, arrived in West Hartlepool from Slonim (now in Belarus) in March 1882. Knowing no English, he opened his first Penny Bazaar in Hartlepool, before borrowing £5 and moving on to Stockton, peddling the likes of thread and matches. In 1884 Marks went on to Leeds, with its larger supportive Jewish community. Michael became the co-founder of the world brand Marks and Spencer.