M&S confirms opening date of massive supermarket in seaside town

The new food store is scheduled to open by autumn 2027 and will be in Paignton, situated between South Devon College and the existing retail park.

The superstore will feature a hot chicken counter, selection of fine wines and a bakery. It will also have a click and collect point located on the site.

The site will feature a drive-up coffee shop/restaurant and a car park featuring 10 electric vehicle charging bays.

The town planning manager for the store, Philip Marsden, told the planning committee at Torbay Council that he is very “excited” about the new site, The Sun reports.

The new retail spot will “reduce traffic” in the area, as “many local residents who want to shop with us have to travel to the Willows at Torquay,” he added.

The supermarket is expected to create up to 70 full- and part-time jobs.

Developers will also pay a Community Infrastructure Levy of £260,000 to fund community projects.

“It’s a win-win situation, not just for the immediate area but also for the local economy,” said Councillor Ras Virdee said.

Councillor Adam Billings agreed that the new store and coffee spot was an unrefusable scheme, while chairman Martin Brook said, “I am really pleased that we can get this over the line.”

Several new M&S Food branches have opened recently, with sites in Hatfield, Luton, Farnham, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

Two new full-line stores have also opened their doors in Bath and Bristol in the past year.