Plans for a massive new M&S Foodhall have been submitted in Lancashire
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Around 25 new jobs will be created if plans for a new M&S Food Hall go ahead in Lancashire but not everyone is happy.
Following recent public consultation, a detailed planning application for a new M&S Foodhall to serve Burscough and Ormskirk has now been submitted to West Lancashire Council.
Over 80% of consultation respondents expressed support for the planned new circa 18,000 square foot store, which would see M&S relocate from Aughton Street in Ormskirk to a new location almost three times the size in nearby Burscough.
Previously, shoppers spoke out about the scheme saying they would be sad to lose the store in Ormskirk town centre.
Speaking in Ormskirk before the consultation, Kristian Yates said: “I work here in the town centre and I think M&S is really important. It’s in a convenient place and it sells good quality food. I shop there regularly. Quality food is important, whether for lunch or an evening meal. I often go there at lunchtime and then go back to my office. It only takes a few minutes and is really convenient.”
“There aren’t many other options in Ormskirk. There’s a good sandwich shop and a bakery. There are also Morrisons and Aldi supermarkets but they are different to M&S. If we lose M&S, we could lose other shops too. And what will happen to the Ormskirk M&S site, if it closes? Maybe we’ll get a small Sainsbury’s Local? Or will it be turned into offices or flats for students at Edge Hill University?”
Working in partnership with Rothstone Estates and Marshall CDP, M&S is proposing to open the new store on the site of the former care home on High Lane (A59), adjacent to Ringtail Retail Park in Burscough.
The fresh market-style food hall would offer the full M&S Food range, including fresh produce from M&S’ Select Farm partners and popular ranges.
There would also be an in-store bakery, dedicated flower and wine Shops, alongside a dedicated Click & Collect point for online fashion, home and beauty orders.
The development plans include new landscaping across the site; plus significantly enhanced parking provision, with 152 customer spaces, including parent & child and accessible bays, alongside Electric Vehicle charging points.
M&S say the site is located close to existing bus stops, which are regularly served by the 2A, 312, 337 and 375 bus routes.
Colleagues from the existing Ormskirk store would transfer to the new Foodhall and, if approved, the development is expected to create more than 25 additional local jobs.
Mark Rothery, Managing Director of Rothstone Estates, said: “We are pleased to submit this planning application and would like to thank residents and stakeholders for providing comments during the consultation. Working closely with M&S and Marshall CDP, our plans will deliver a high- quality new Foodhall for customers across Burscough and Ormskirk, bringing investment to a vacant site and offering local shoppers greater choice and convenience.”
Pete Dobson, Regional Manager at M&S, added: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. By investing in this new location, we can offer the very best of M&S Food for customers – delivering even more trusted value, exceptional quality and innovation, all from a show-stopping modern store.”