M&S reveals plan for huge West Sussex food store – and it wants to hear what residents think about it
M&S has committed to bring a brand-new 19k sq ft food store to Littlehampton, offering the full M&S Food range (over 6,600 products).
The store is part of a wider proposed development at Norway Lane, known as Watersmead Retail Park, which if approved would open in Autumn 2027. The retail park also includes plans for a Mountain Warehouse, a second Lidl for the town, Greggs and a large-scale DIY provider.
If approved, the store will be on the site of two former Amazon warehouses and the former Body Shop HQ, which was demolished last year.
Over 70 new local jobs would be created at M&S and more than 250 jobs across the wider retail park.
M&S said the new Littlehampton store would be convenient and accessible for customers, with good public transport links and dedicated on-site parking offering EV charging.
In details revealed today, it added: “Inside the new show-stopping foodhall, customers would find a delicious in-store bakery alongside fresh produce from M&S Select Farms and dedicated Flower and Wine Shops. Over 200 M&S Select Farmers are based across the South East, including in West Sussex.”
The branch would also have a dedicated Click & Collect point.
Rebecca Rabadia, regional manager at M&S, said: “We are incredibly excited to share our plans for a brand-new M&S Food in Littlehampton. We want to offer our customers the very best of M&S, from the quality and value we’re known for to the latest exciting product launches. Our new store, backed by a significant investment, would offer just that from a brilliant location and we look forward to working with residents and Arun District Council on the plans.”
Residents are being encouraged to share their views on the plans directly with the Council via a newly launched consultation website – available here.
A spokesperson at Hallway Properties said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm M&S as one of our retail partners at Watersmill Retail Park – fulfilling their long term ambitions to get into Littlehampton.
"The M&S foodhall will complement a Mountain Warehouse, a second Lidl for the town, Greggs and a large-scale DIY provider.
"Together these shops, if approved, represent an investment of around £20m in Littlehampton and over 250 permanent jobs.
“We have been overwhelmed by the levels of support for the proposals with 88% of those from the area who took the survey in support. We now look forward to the Planning Committee hearing and hope the application will be passed so we can deliver the regeneration of the site.”