THE wait is almost over for a new Marks and Spencer Simply Food store to open in Colchester.

The store will be part of a new BP garage at the former Esso site in Ipswich Road, creating 30 jobs.

Hoardings which had surrounded the site for several weeks have now been removed to reveal the shop and garage are almost ready for their first customers.

A BP spokesman declined to confirm an opening date.

The Simply Food outlet will offer similar facilities to that of the first of the chain’s outlets in Colchester at Cuckoo Farm, which opened at the same time as junction 28 of the A12 in 2010.

That outlet has proved to be extremely popular, taking on extra staff in 2014 to keep up with customer demand.

A BP spokesman said: “This is part of our continued investment in the convenience retail sector. We currently have 248 BP M&S stores across the UK, with plans to have 300 by early 2018.”

A new sales building, canopy, fuel pumps and car wash are part of the upgrade.

The petrol station has been closed for works to take place.