Marks & Spencer has renewed its commitment to opening a new store on the outskirts of Boston, saying work on it should begin ‘soon’.

In September of last year, Boston Borough Council approved proposals for an M&S Foodhall, off the A52, at Wyberton Fen, near where McDonald’s has a drive-thru restaurant.

Following reports on social media the scheme had been scrapped, The Standard approached Marks & Spencer for a comment.

A spokesman for the chain said they were not aware of the reports, but added that Marks & Spencer is ‘committed to the site’.

An artist's impression of the M&S Foodhall, as it appears in the application documents. Picture: Projekt Architects

placeholder image — An artist's impression of the M&S Foodhall, as it appears in the application documents. Picture: Projekt Architects

They reported ‘no change to plans’, and said that ‘the developer should be starting work on site soon’.

This ties in with matters that went before the council over the summer.

Last month, the authority approved a ‘construction management plan and method statement’ and a ‘construction ecological management plan’ for the development.

These set out how the build will take into account such factors as neighbouring land uses, the local highway network, and the ecology of the area.

An image shared with The Standard by Marks & Spencer, illustrating how the interior of the M&S Foodhall could look.

Both carry the following construction timetable, revealing work may start as soon as this month:

The proposed construction start date shall be September 2026
The M&S groundworks are expected to take around six weeks to complete on site
The M&S shell unit shall commence once the external works are completed and is expected to take around 33 weeks to complete on site

Under hours of operation, the construction management plan and method statements says: “The site hours shall generally be 7.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

“Any site working outside of these hours shall be very carefully considered prior to being carried out and certain rules obeyed.

The M&S Foodhall would be located off the A52 Swineshead Road. Picture: Google Street View

“Saturday morning work from 8am to noon where absolutely required may on occasion be carried out.

“Any works outside the standard hours will be limited to non-intrusive activities unless otherwise agreed with the Local Planning Authority.”

The opening of an M&S Foodhall would bring the Marks & Spencer brand back to Boston after more than seven years of absence.

It was in 2019 when the retailer exited the town, closing its Market Place food and clothing store as part of a ‘programme to reshape its UK store estate’, it said at the time.

In a statement made to The Standard last year following the council’s decision to approve the plans, Will Smith, property director at M&S, said: “It's fantastic news that our plans to return to Boston have been approved.

“Our show-stopping fresh market-style foodhall will offer the very best of M&S for the community – from an in-store bakery to fresh produce from our Select Farm partners, almost 200 of which are based in Lincolnshire.”

The store would also create up to 70 new local retail jobs, he said.