Supermarket return gets huge support

THE POSSIBLE return of a Marks and Spencer store to Evesham has received overwhelming support from the public.

A public exhibition event was held at Evesham Town Hall on Friday (July 27) with nearly 95 per cent of all visitors backing the plans for the retail giant's comeback following their closure at the Riverside Shopping Centre back in 2009.

The supermarket's plans were first announced a fortnight ago with bosses preferring having a new store at Evesham Shopping Park after opening talks with Evesham Market Town Partnership.

More than 200 visitors attended the day-long event, which was organised by Marks and Spencer property bosses and British Land, and a total of 199 people completed a questionnaire asking whether they support the proposal.

Almost 83 per cent of the people answered 'Yes' and another 11.5 per cent replied 'Yes, with reservations'. The remaining participants did not back the proposal.

The overwhelming consultation response came a week after nearly 200 people online joined a Facebook group campaign titled 'Bring Marks and Spencer's back to Evesham' - set up by a group of residents.

Clem Constantine, director of property at Marks and Spencer, said the exhbition proved to be a big success for the supermarket's plans.

"This is an overwhelming vote of confidence, both for a new store for M&S Simply Food and in the future of Evesham," he said.

"A Simply Food in Evesham will give residents, who currently travel to Stratford Upon Avon, Worcester and Cheltenham to buy food at M&S, greater convenience.”

Steven Rickard, British land asset manager, added: “We are delighted that so many residents visited the exhibition and gave their views. It is very clear that the vast majority of people want M&S Simply Food to return to Evesham and believe that the Evesham Shopping Park is the right location.”

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