PLANS have been submitted for a Marks & Spencer foodhall at Leamington Shopping Park.
The store would occupy the space formerly used by Focus DIY, which closed in June 2011, and would include a café and two smaller non-food retail spaces.
A public consultation on the plans was held earlier this summer, including a newsletter sent to more than 3,000 local homes and businesses.
Over 230 comments forms were received, with 95 per cent of respondents supporting redevelopment of the site, and nearly 85 per cent welcoming an M&S foodhall as part of the proposals.
A spokesperson from Leamington Shopping Park said: “We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our proposals, and there is clearly a strong local appetite for a M&S foodhall as part of the retail mix on offer.
“In particular, we received positive comments when we spoke to those with young children or elderly relatives that would welcome the accessibility of a foodhall at this location.”
Key issues raised during the consultation period have been acknowledged, and a number of small design changes have been made, including two additional benches and six new cycle stands.
Plans include 19 public parking spaces, as well as a staff car park with 20 spaces, increasing the overall number of parking spaces by 39.
The proposed store at the shopping park would be in addition to the Leamington and Warwick town centre stores, which the retailer says would not be affected by the proposals.
