Marks and Spencer have announced plans to extend after taking over an adjacent unit at a North Yorkshire retail park.

M&S have confirmed they are planning the extension of their foodhall at St Michaels Retail Park in Ripon, and this will see the store increase in size by 40%.

It will see the site expand from 7,300 sq ft to 12,300 sq ft.

A brand-new cheese barge will also showcase a selection of products including M&S’ Yorkshire Blue.

M&S has announced plans to extend its foodhall at St Michael’s Retail Park, after taking over an adjacent unit.

The extension will see the size of the store increase by 40%, from 7,300 to 12,300 sq ft.

They have said there will be a larger in-store bakery, fresh produce selection, as well as bigger flower and wine shop offerings.

A brand-new cheese barge will also showcase a selection of products including M&S’ Yorkshire Blue.

Store manager Richard Johnston, who has worked at M&S for 28 years and heads up the 50-strong store team, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to finally share our plans with customers - the countdown to next Spring starts now!

“So many customers come to us to do their weekly shop and it’s brilliant to be able to showcase even more of the M&S Food range and give them even more choice.

“We’ll have more seasonal fruit and veg on offer from our Select Farm partners, more of our signature Collection wines and more of our Dropped & Locked products delivering great value with an M&S difference.

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“Work is already underway on site but we are open as usual right up until next Spring. We’ll make sure to keep customers updated as work progresses.”

An M&S spokesperson said it has invested more than £20million in its stores across Yorkshire.

Mark Rothery, managing director at Rothstone Estates, said: “We are delighted to continue our excellent working relationship with M&S in delivering an extension of their fantastic store at our successful St Michaels Retail Park.”