M&S targets 34 locations across Yorkshire and the North East

As part of a drive towards doubling the size of its food business, the retailer is looking for another 500 stores across the UK.

For its non-London options, the retailer is looking for units that are 21,500 sq ft GIA or larger and located on major roads with easy access, in either an edge-of-centre or out-of-town location.

The site must be prominent and highly visible, with dedicated car parking for at least 150 vehicles and dedicated servicing facilities.

Freehold or leasehold opportunities will be considered, as well as existing retail units, on sites of at least two acres.

As well as expanding its Food Halls and Convenience stores, the retailer wants to modernise its store estate.

In terms of recent success stories, its food store in Selby opened on Three Lakes retail park last year and has outperformed expectations, delivering above average food market share growth in the region, while the food offering at its Doncaster Wheatley unit has tripled in size to 32,000 sq ft, with a 20,000 sq ft unit leased next door for fashion.

Full list of locations across Yorkshire and the North East

Yorkshire

West Yorkshire

• Bingley
• Birstall
• Brighouse
• Holmfirth
• Ilkley
• Pontefract
• The Springs, Leeds
• Wakefield Rd, Huddersfield
• West Huddersfield
• Wetherby

South Yorkshire

• Cortonwood, Barnsley
• Mosborough
• Norton College, Sheffield
• South Doncaster
• Wickersley

East Yorkshire

• Driffield

North Yorkshire

• Knaresborough
• Northallerton
• Richmond
• Scarborough
• Thirsk
• Yarm

North East 

• Bishop Auckland
• Blyth / Ashington
• Boldon / Harton
• Cleveland Middlesbrough
• Consett
• Cramlington
• Guisborough
• Hartlepool
• Hexham
• Team Valley, Gateshead
• West Park, Darlington
• Whitley Bay
• Yarm

Alex Freudmann managing director of M&S Food said: “The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth.

“With more than twenty stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster.

“Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S Food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers.”