Witney News - Major new store for Witney

Major new store for Witney

Marks & Spencer has signed a deal to become the next major anchor store coming to the Marriotts Close development in Witney following Debenhams who signed up earlier in the year.

M&S will take a 32,000 sq ft store in the centre of the new leisure, retail and residential development. The store will be split over two floors, stocking both food and clothing.

Cllr Barry Norton, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council welcomed the announcement. He said, "A key objective of the Council in promoting the development of Marriotts Close was to strengthen and broaden the appeal of Witney as a shopping and visitor destination. Confirmation that M&S are coming to Witney is great news for the town and for residents of the District. Together with the Cinema, Restaurants and other retailers already announced this should help ensure the success of the scheme which will significantly enhance the range of facilities available within West Oxfordshire and bring more shoppers into Witney saving them travelling further afield."

Luke Pickering, Director at Simons, who agreed the deal said: "We are delighted to have agreed the deal with M&S as a major shop in the scheme and it is great to see our plans developing. We expect that now M&S has joined Debenhams there will be an even greater demand for the remaining few units."

The news follows the announcement in April this year that Debenhams had signed up to the £40m scheme. Also coming to Witney are Cineworld, one of the UK's foremost cinema operators, Frankie & Benny's Italian restaurant, Café Rouge and Starbucks coffee shop.

The new complex will include:
14 retail units
5-screen cinema
3 restaurants/cafes
Public open spaces and children's play area
Around 190 new homes
Multi-storey car park.

Work will begin on constructing a temporary car park in the autumn this year with construction on the main site commencing in January 2008 with completion due by September 2009.