M&S to triple Wheatley Centre presence

City of Doncaster Council has given the go-ahead to Marks & Spencer to expand at the retail park, as the business prepares to close its city centre store.

M&S announced in March this year, to some dismay locally, that it will close its store at Baxtergate and Frenchgate in central Doncaster in 2025.

The retailer will effectively relocate that operation, in taking the Wheatley store from an M&S Foodhall to a wider offer, including clothes and homeware. Units formerly occupied by Sports Direct and an Office outlet store will be used for the project.

Lichfields has guided the project through the planning process, with Stride Treglown on board as architect. Dragonfly Consulting advised on noise issues.

Dated 30 July, the application was approved under delegated powers.

British Land, owner of the Wheatley Centre, said in its recent annual report that retail parks are the best performing part of the UK shopping scene, and that its own locations – BL is the largest operator in the segment – are outperforming the wider market.

A report by Doncaster’s principal planning officer Andrea Suddes describes how the Wheatley Centre has been changed over the years from an “industrial-looking” retail warehousing scheme to a more consumer-friendly environment.

Suddes said that the proposed alterations to give the three units a uniform exterior will improve the existing appearance “and is generally in keeping with other recently altered units” adding that the project “will create a uniformity with these units and will set a benchmark for alterations to other shop fronts”.

Along with the external changes, the interiors of the units will be reconfigured to make one combined unit.

The units concerned – 12, 13 and 14a – sit within a retail park that comprises two terraces, east and west, facing onto a car park and central access road, with servicing and staff car parking to the rear.

They form part of a row of seven on the eastern flank, which is also home to Next/Costa, Boots, Superdrug and TKMaxx. The western side has other high street brands and a smaller detached F&B unit. Access is from the A630 Wheatley Hall Road.

Documents relating to the application can be viewed on Doncaster’s planning portal, with the reference 24/00844/FUL.