M&S returning after food hall plans approved

The development, on the outskirts of Boston, will create up to 70 jobs, according to the applicant

Plans for a new Marks & Spencer food hall on the outskirts of Boston have been approved.

The proposal, for land south of the A52 Swineshead Road, was approved by Boston Borough Council planners at a meeting on Tuesday.

The development includes provision for parking and bicycle spaces and up to 70 jobs would be created, the applicant Carta Real Estate said.

M&S representative Phil Marsdon said: "This application will help to increase spending in Boston."

He added: "M&S works with many food suppliers in Lincolnshire, including some from Boston and these will feature in this store."

Despite gaining approval, the proposal was met with some concerns about congestion.

Councillor Anton Dani, who represents the Fenland ward, said: "I am pretty sure that more people will go through the town, which is already very busy, to get to this development."

However, he added: "I support this application and I think it will be beneficial to the town."

Councillor Stephen Woodliffe, who represents the West Ward, said he understood the concerns about traffic, but added "people choose where they shop".

"If they want to sit in a queue for 20 minutes, then that is their choice. If they want to shop somewhere else then it is their choice," he said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the application was approved subject to a number of conditions, including the provision of two new bus stops, and a cycle and travel plan contribution.

The previous M&S in the town, which was a clothing shop, closed in 2019.

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