Plans for £31m M&S store recommended for approval

Plans for a new £31m Marks & Spencer (M&S) flagship store at a former Toys R Us have been recommended for approval.

The retailer announced more than a year ago that it planned to open a new food and clothing store at the Copdock Interchange near Ipswich.

Babergh District Council will discuss the plans on 17 December after planning officers recommended it for approval, subject to conditions.

M&S said the existing Ipswich town centre shop on Westgate Street would remain open, but would be re-sized.

The former Toys R Us has been empty since it went into administration in 2018, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

M&S planned to refurbish and extend the vacant store, adding some 2,755 square metres.

The retailer will create about 138 new jobs, prioritising local workers, with some relocating from the Westgate shop.

Ipswich Borough Council acknowledged concerns about negative impacts on the town centre due to the diversion of traffic, but said retail stores could no longer be relied upon as a centrepiece for viability.

"There are reasons to be optimistic about the direction of travel in the town centre that will keep footfall and investor sentiment high," it said.

Babergh's economic redevelopment and regeneration team added that the proposal represented an "opportunity to bring the unit back into long-term economic use, with a sustainable refurbishment that revitalises this strategic gateway site".

The plans received support from four local residents, while no objections were made.

"Yes please to this development, it's about time," one person wrote.

"There is absolutely no reason for it to be delayed – creates jobs for local people, brings the choice of quality food and clothing to the area."

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