The new M&S Food Store in Coleraine moves a step closer

The prospect of a new Marks & Spencer Foodhall opening at Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine has moved a step closer following the submission of a planning application to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The application submitted by M&S proposes the creation a new 17,100 sq. ft store offering shoppers at the retail park greater choice and an improved shopping experience.

The submission of the planning application came after a period of public consultation during May and June on the plans.

There were almost 250 responses to the consultation with the public overwhelmingly expressing their support for a new store at Riverside.

PLans for a new foodhall at Riverside Retail ParkPLans for a new foodhall at Riverside Retail Park
PLans for a new foodhall at Riverside Retail Park

Welcoming the progress of the application, Nicola Finlay, M&S Regional manager for Northern Ireland, said: “We were delighted with the feedback received in relation to the development of a new M&S Foodhall at Riverside.

“This proposal offers our customers a significantly enhanced shopping experience with a choice of over 5,000 food and drink products.

“Our new store would create 40 jobs during the construction phase and support a further 70 full-time and part-time jobs when the store is open and operational.

“The public consultation has shown that there is a huge appetite for an expanded M&S offering in the area and we believe that Riverside offers the ideal location for both the company and for shoppers on the North Coast.”

Illustrations of existing new storesIllustrations of existing new stores
Illustrations of existing new stores

The planning application will now be assessed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

M&S has 21 stores in NI

M&S first came to Northern Ireland 54 years ago, in 1967 – leading the way for investment by many other UK companies.

M&S has 21 stores in Northern Ireland in Abbeycentre, Ballymena, Banbridge (outlet) Bangor, Belfast, Enniskillen, Foyleside, Lisburn, Newry, Newtownbreda, Omagh, Aldergrove, Armagh, Boucher Road, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Crescent Link, Malone, Upper Road.

They currently employ 2,800 full and part-time colleagues in Northern Ireland.

Sourcing locally is really important to M&S and Northern Ireland is one of our biggest supply regions with 11 direct suppliers around 1,600 farms producing quality product including milk, eggs, beef, pork, butter and bread.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you