We’re delighted to be the developer for a new 18,000 sq ft M&S Foodhall off Derwent Drive in Workington. M&S is the first announced tenant for the proposed multi-tenant retail scheme.
Plans for Workington’s new M&S Foodhall
M&S has named Kingmoor Park Properties as development partner for its proposed relocation. The retailer describes this as a multi-million-pound investment in the town.
The planning application for the M&S proposal is now with Cumberland Council. The council is currently consulting on the plans.
M&S estimates that the store would create 20 additional local jobs. Colleagues at its existing Workington store would transfer to the new Foodhall.
Subject to planning approval, M&S expects to open the Foodhall in autumn 2028.
The proposed Foodhall would offer the full M&S Food range. It would also include an in-store bakery.
Dedicated flower and wine shops form part of the plans. A Click & Collect point would serve online fashion, home and beauty orders.
Customers would benefit from free parking. The plans also include EV charging.
Working with our project partners
We’re working alongside our development partner, Harlex Property. Burnetts Solicitors LLP has provided legal due diligence support on the M&S proposal. Its work also covers the wider retail scheme.
Tetra Tech’s Workington office is providing planning advice. The firm is also undertaking mechanical and electrical design and highways design. Its work includes ecology and biodiversity.
Robbie Mather, commercial property partner at Burnetts Solicitors LLP, said:
“We love working on significant scale development projects like this, both locally and further afield, so we’re really pleased to have been able to help Kingmoor Park Properties Limited in securing this strategically important site for this major retail development in Workington. A lot of legal due diligence has gone into ensuring this phase of M&S is deliverable, as well as the wider retail scheme. It will be a fantastic scheme for the area and so we’re delighted to have been involved.”
James Nicholson, managing director at Harlex Property, said:
“It has been a pleasure to lead the professional team through the acquisition of the site, signing of the Agreement for Lease with M&S and subsequent preparation and submission of the detailed planning application.
Our intention now is to continue with the wider team into the detailed design phase of the scheme, to prepare the tender pack and appoint a Main Contractor early in 2027, aligned with our expectations for the determination of the planning permission.”
Supporting investment and jobs across Cumbria
From our Carlisle base, we’re proud to help bring investment and employment opportunities to West Cumbria. The proposed Foodhall would help secure M&S’s long-term presence in Workington.
Our ambition extends to towns and communities across Cumbria. The Workington proposal reflects the development work we undertake beyond our Carlisle estate.
We also support local businesses and community causes. Wherever possible, we intend to use local contractors on our development projects. This would create opportunities for Cumbrian firms to get involved.
Our Carlisle estate is home to 96 businesses. Together, they support around 3,100 jobs.
Neil McIntyre, managing director of Kingmoor Park Properties, said:
“We’re incredibly pleased to be working as development partner on this exciting project and to help bring a new Marks & Spencer store to Workington.
Securing a retailer of M&S’s calibre is a major vote of confidence in Workington and in West Cumbria more widely. It represents significant investment in the area, will create new employment opportunities and further strengthen the town’s retail offer.
As a Cumbrian business, we’re particularly proud to be playing a leading role in delivering this development. We know Cumbria, we believe strongly in its potential and we’re committed to creating high-quality developments that attract investment and deliver lasting benefits for local communities.”
Our immediate focus is on progressing the Workington proposal through planning. We’ll share further updates as the plans develop.
