A MAJOR retailer is set to reveal ambitious plans for a new food store in Walton.

Marks & Spencer will outline its vision for a food hall at the Martello site during two public exhibitions this month.

The company is breaking away from its smaller Simply Food units to deliver an 11,000sq ft premises which will offer the full range of M&S food products.

Paul Clark, of Kilo Properties which is working with M&S, said: “A detailed planning application will be submitted at the end of June and if successful, Kilo will start building in the autumn.

“The new food hall would open in late spring of 2018, offering a full range of M&S food.

“The store would include a cafe on the ground floor and provide 50 car parking spaces together with cycle parking.

“Approximately 55 full and part- time jobs would be created, most of which would be recruited locally.”

It is hoped the new M&S would complement the proposed Aldi store next door.

Mr Clark said the two supermarkets could form a “full offer” for residents.

Frinton and Walton town mayor Robert Bucke said: “M&S is good news wherever they go, so I’m sure they’ll be very welcome.

“This seems to be consistent with their national policy as they want to develop their food halls across the country, but I’m surprised Walton is one.

“Whether they develop at the same time as Aldi, I’d find hard to believe. I’m more inclined to believe it would one or the other, es- pecially as Tesco still has planning permission nearby.

“It’s likely to be extremely popular with the hundreds of people living there, if we take into account the 200-plus homes which have planning permission, but it will have a damaging effect on supermarkets in the town centre.”

An M&S spokesman confirmed its interest in Walton, but declined to comment further.

The exhibitions are at Walton Library in High Street on June 28 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and June 29 between 10am and 3pm.