Workington M&S and Starbucks plans submitted, with five more shops proposed

Plans for a new M&S Foodhall and a Starbucks drive-thru in Workington have been formally submitted, with a second phase potentially bringing up to five more shops to Derwent Howe. It is a much bigger proposal than the initial announcement about a new supermarket suggested, and it could change both the town’s out-of-centre shopping area and the future of M&S on Pow Street.

The application was validated by Cumberland Council on 7 October 2026. It covers land west of Derwent Howe Retail Park, opposite Morrisons, and is still awaiting a planning decision. The consultation deadline currently shown by the council is 4 November 2026.

Here is what the plans actually say, where the proposed development would go, what could open and why it matters to Workington.

Where would the new M&S and Starbucks be?

The proposed development would occupy approximately 7.37 acres of land off Derwent Drive, west of the existing Derwent Howe Retail Park and opposite the Morrisons supermarket, postcode CA14 3YW.

The land was once part of an industrial railway corridor serving Workington’s former steelworks. The developers now want to turn it into another part of the Derwent Drive retail area.

The council’s full site description is Land west of Derwent Howe Retail Park, Derwent Drive, Workington, CA14 3YW.

See the location and official planning application on Cumberland Council’s website.

What is included in the plans?

This is a hybrid planning application, which means that different parts of the proposed scheme are being considered at different levels of detail.

Phase one: an M&S Foodhall and Starbucks drive-thru

The developers are seeking full planning permission for a new food store and a separate drive-thru restaurant, together with parking, access, landscaping and associated work.

M&S has announced that its proposed new Foodhall would offer more than 6,600 products, including fresh food, bakery, flowers and wine, with Click & Collect. Its announcement also refers to free parking and electric vehicle charging.

The early M&S announcement describes an 18,000 sq ft Foodhall, while reporting of the planning submission gives a 24,591 sq ft food-store building. These may reflect different ways of measuring retail and overall building space, but the available material does not establish a definitive like-for-like explanation. They should not be treated as two separate proposed supermarkets.

Alongside the store, a new Starbucks drive-thru has been identified in reporting about the scheme. The council’s formal description uses the wider planning term drive-thru restaurant, so the operator and detailed design should be checked against the latest submitted documents as the application progresses.

Phase two: up to five further shops

The application also seeks outline permission for up to five additional retail units. The proposed second phase is reported to offer around 26,910 sq ft of flexible retail space, with a terrace that could be divided between individual businesses.

No confirmed list of retailers has been announced for these units. The outline element would still need more detailed approvals before it could be built as shown.

How much parking is proposed?

The planning coverage describes 187 spaces for the M&S Foodhall, 20 spaces for the Starbucks site and another 179 spaces with phase two. That is up to 386 spaces across the complete scheme if both phases proceed in that form.

Access would be taken from a new fourth arm of the existing Derwent Drive mini-roundabout serving the retail park. The proposals also include road widening and a pedestrian refuge island nearby. The transport assessment will be important for judging how the entrance would work at busy shopping times.

See the Workington M&S and Starbucks planning drawings

The planning file includes a proposed site layout, phasing plan, elevations, landscaping drawings and design statement. These are submitted proposals, not approved or final construction drawings.

For the clearest picture of how the site could look, open the official Cumberland Council application FUL/2026/0136, select the documents section and look for the following named files:

• Proposed Site Plan – drawing 25010-HFR-AV-XX-DR-A-9122, revision P11. This is the main overall layout to check first.
• Phasing Plan – drawing 25010-HFR-AV-XX-DR-A-9004, revision P2. Shows the proposed distinction between the development phases.
• Location Plan – drawing 25010-HFR-AV-XX-DR-A-9001, revision P2. Places the development in its surroundings.
• M&S GA Elevations – drawing 25010-HFR-V1-XX-DR-A-9004, revision P3. Elevation drawings for the V1 building.
• Landscape General Arrangement – drawing 1337-RFM-XX-00-DR-L-0001-S2, revision P01. Shows the proposed landscape layout.
• Design & Access Statement – the supporting document explaining the submitted design approach.

You can also see a searchable index of the 42 listed planning documents before opening the council record. Document titles and revisions may change if revised plans are submitted.

Image note: the M&S Foodhall photographs accompanying this Cumbria Guru story show an existing store in Cheshunt as an illustration of the retailer’s format. They are not CGI images or architectural drawings of the proposed Workington development. For the actual Workington layout, use the application drawings linked above.

What happens to the existing M&S on Pow Street?

For many local shoppers, this is the biggest question. The current M&S at 62 Pow Street is still trading, selling clothing as well as food.

However, the planning material makes clear that the town-centre M&S is expected to close. The planning statement has been reported as saying its closure would take place regardless of whether the new Derwent Howe scheme proceeds.

There is no confirmed closure day, and it would be wrong to suggest the new Foodhall is already replacing the store. Staff from the existing food operation are expected to transfer if the new branch opens, with about 20 additional jobs announced.

What is not in these plans is a replacement full-line clothing department. That means the loss of M&S clothing from Pow Street is a real concern for Workington shoppers, as is the prospect of another large empty unit in the town centre. The new retail investment will be welcome to many, but it does not remove those questions.

What else does the planning application reveal?

The proposals have to work around two historic mine shafts, one within the land and another immediately adjoining it. The layout takes their required protection zones into account.

The planning document list also includes a transport assessment, retail assessment, flood-risk and drainage strategy, ecological appraisal, landscape statement and other supporting reports. Their inclusion shows the issues being assessed; it does not mean the council has already accepted every conclusion.

A retail assessment is especially relevant here because the development could attract trade from the town centre as well as serve shoppers who already use Derwent Howe. Cumberland Council will need to consider the application through the normal planning process.

When could the new M&S open?

M&S has indicated autumn 2028 as the target opening period, subject to planning and delivery. It is not a confirmed opening date.

Harlex Property, which has helped progress the scheme, said on 10 October that the team intends to prepare tender documents and appoint a main contractor in early 2027, aligned with the planning decision process. That is a proposed next step, not confirmation that building work has started.

The council currently lists 6 January 2027 as the application expiry or target determination date. Such dates can change and do not guarantee a decision on that day.

Can residents comment on the plans?

Yes. Cumberland Council lists the application as under consultation, with the consultation period currently due to close on 4 November 2026.

To read the documents or make a planning representation, visit the official planning record and search for FUL/2026/0136. Comments should focus on relevant planning matters such as access, traffic, design, drainage and effects on nearby retail areas.

Workington M&S and Starbucks: questions answered

Has the new Workington M&S been approved?

No. As of 10 October 2026, the application is under consultation and no planning permission has been granted.

Is Starbucks definitely opening?

A Starbucks drive-thru has been named in reporting about the proposals, but the scheme is still subject to planning. The formal application describes a drive-thru restaurant.

Which five extra shops are coming?

None have been confirmed. The developer is seeking outline permission for up to five units, not announcing five signed-up tenants.

Will the Pow Street M&S close?

Closure is expected, according to the planning material, but no final closure date has been announced. The existing shop continues to trade.

When is the new Foodhall due to open?

M&S is targeting autumn 2028 if the development proceeds. The date is subject to change.

What happens next?

The immediate milestone is the public consultation on the planning application. After that, the council must consider the submitted plans and any representations before reaching a decision.

For Workington, this is a significant proposed investment, but there are two stories to watch: the potential arrival of a larger M&S Foodhall and Starbucks at Derwent Howe, and the future of one of Pow Street’s best-known stores.

We will update Cumbria Guru as the planning decision, further shop names and opening timetable become clearer. You can also follow our proposed Workington M&S Foodhall listing and read the original September announcement for background.

Information checked: 10 October 2026. Sources: Cumberland Council application FUL/2026/0136 and its document index, Marks & Spencer’s store information and public announcement, developer updates and contemporary local reporting. Proposals and target dates are not final approvals.