Plans revealed for new multi-million-pound Workington M&S Foodhall

Plans have been revealed for a new multi-million-pound M&S Foodhall in Workington, potentially bringing one of the biggest changes to the retailer's presence in the town for years.

The development is particularly significant because Marks & Spencer already has a long-established store in the centre of Workington, at 62 Pow Street, combining a Food department with clothing, beauty, bakery, wine and other ranges.

For now, there are still some important questions to answer about the new Foodhall, including its exact location, final size, opening timetable and what the plans will mean for the existing town-centre shop. Cumbria Guru has checked the latest M&S corporate information, its current Workington store listing and publicly searchable planning information to separate what is known from what has not yet been confirmed.

What we know about the new Workington M&S Foodhall plans

The headline development is that plans have been revealed for a new multi-million-pound M&S Foodhall in Workington.

That fits closely with M&S's wider strategy. Workington has previously appeared in the retailer's own property requirements as a location where it was looking for new space, while M&S has been actively seeking larger sites capable of carrying more of its full Food range.

The timing also makes sense nationally. In its latest 2026 annual reporting, M&S said it had completed its most ambitious year of store openings in a decade, opening 12 new Foodhalls and three full-line stores alongside 12 renewals. It expects a further 18 new Food stores, four extensions and two full-line stores in the following year.

M&S has also said that it is increasingly looking for larger Food sites. Its national property search has targeted highly visible and accessible locations capable of providing around 18,000 sq ft of trading space, although that figure is a national property requirement and not a confirmed size for Workington.

Where will the new M&S Foodhall be in Workington?

This is the big question that still needs a firm public answer.

As of 29 September 2026, Cumbria Guru has not been able to independently verify the exact Workington site from an accessible M&S project announcement or a clearly identifiable live planning application in the public sources checked.

We are therefore not going to guess at a location. Once the site, planning reference or developer is formally confirmed, this guide will be updated with the exact address, map, parking information, access arrangements and expected opening timetable.

What happens to the existing Workington M&S?

The current Marks & Spencer remains listed by M&S at 62 Pow Street, Workington, CA14 3AB.

It is more than a Foodhall. M&S's current store information lists Food, bakery, wine, beauty, babywear, kidswear, school uniform, menswear and womenswear, alongside Clothing & Home ordering and collection services.

There is currently no independently verified M&S announcement in the sources checked by Cumbria Guru confirming that the Pow Street store will close. Equally, a new standalone Foodhall could form part of the retailer's wider store rotation strategy, which can involve renewals, relocations or changes to the mix of Food and full-line stores.

Until M&S publishes the Workington-specific detail, shoppers should treat claims about the future of the Pow Street clothing offer with caution.

What could a modern M&S Foodhall include?

Recent M&S Foodhall openings give a useful idea of the format the company is now investing in, but they should not be treated as a confirmed specification for Workington.

M&S says its newer Food stores are designed to make more of the full Food range available and can include:

• market-style fruit and vegetable displays;
• a larger in-store bakery;
• fresh coffee to go;
• wider and more spacious aisles;
• larger frozen-food sections;
• Click & Collect for Fashion, Home and Beauty orders;
• modern, energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration;
• and, where the site allows, easier parking and access.

A recent example at Aberdeen Union Square included an 18,900 sq ft fresh-market Foodhall with a larger bakery, hot chicken counter, cheese area, flower shop and wine shop. Again, those are examples of the current M&S format, not yet confirmed features of the Workington proposal.

Why Workington?

Workington has already been on M&S's radar for new property, and the town serves a large catchment across West Cumbria.

The proposal also comes during a period of substantial wider investment in the town. Cumberland Council says more than £33 million of government funding has been secured for Workington, including £10 million for the Gateway scheme. Current projects include transport and public-realm improvements, the Innovation Centre, Digital Accelerator Hub, development land at the Port of Workington, cycleways, Hall Park improvements and work around Cumberland Sports Village.

A major new M&S Foodhall would add another high-profile private-sector investment to that changing picture.

Could the new Foodhall create jobs?

New and expanded M&S Foodhalls elsewhere in the UK have created additional retail jobs, and M&S says investment in its store estate is intended to support local job creation.

However, no verified Workington job figure has yet been published in the sources checked by Cumbria Guru, so we are not attaching an estimate to the local scheme. We will add recruitment details when M&S confirms them.

When could the new Workington M&S Foodhall open?

There is no opening date we can responsibly confirm yet.

Any new development will need to move through the necessary property, planning and construction stages relevant to the chosen site. M&S is opening new Food stores at pace nationally, but the Workington timetable will depend on the local proposal.

We will update this page as soon as there is a confirmed planning reference, construction programme or opening date.

Workington M&S Foodhall FAQs

Is Workington getting a new M&S Foodhall?

Plans have been revealed for a new multi-million-pound M&S Foodhall in Workington. Further local details are still emerging.

Where will the new M&S Foodhall be?

The exact site has not yet been independently confirmed in the public sources checked by Cumbria Guru. We will add the location as soon as it can be verified.

Will the current M&S on Pow Street close?

M&S still lists the 62 Pow Street store as open and offering both Food and clothing-related departments and services. We have not found a verified Workington-specific announcement confirming its closure.

Will the new M&S sell clothes?

The announcement is for a Foodhall. Modern standalone M&S Food stores commonly provide Click & Collect for online Fashion, Home and Beauty orders, but a full clothing department in the new Workington store has not been confirmed.

How big will the new M&S Foodhall be?

No Workington-specific floor area has been independently verified. M&S's wider property search has targeted new Food sites of around 18,000 sq ft trading space, but that should not be treated as the confirmed Workington size.

When will it open?

No verified opening date has been published in the sources checked by Cumbria Guru as of 29 September 2026.

We will keep this page updated

This is a developing story and the most useful details for local shoppers are still to come: the exact site, planning application, parking arrangements, store size, jobs, opening date and the future of the existing Pow Street shop.

Bookmark this page for updates. Cumbria Guru will add those details as they are confirmed rather than filling the gaps with speculation.

Information checked on 29 September 2026 against the current M&S Workington store listing, M&S corporate property and store-investment information, its 2026 annual reporting and Cumberland Council's latest Workington investment information.