A new M&S Food Hall has been proposed for a rapidly growing business park on the city outskirts.

The supermarket chain is looking to build a 1,950 sq m store on a disused parcel of land off the Northern Distributor Road in Postwick.

If approved, it would employ 43 full-time staff and have parking for more than 170 vehicles, including motorcycles. 

The new food hall would be located just off the NDR in PostwickThe new food hall would be located just off the NDR in Postwick (Image: South Norfolk Council) An outdoor seating area, EV charging, waiting bays, cycle parking and landscaping are also proposed.

Access to the site would be via Poppy Way, Broadland Gate and Maple Way, with a new access road running along the west and north boundary.

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Its proposed opening hours are 8am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

It would have parking spaces for more than 170 vehiclesIt would have parking spaces for more than 170 vehicles (Image: South Norfolk Council) In choosing the site for development, the retailer said: "The area comprises a wide range of services and facilities including Lidl, McDonalds and Costa Coffee.

"Consequently, the immediate area can be considered akin to a local centre where the proposed M&S would contribute positively to the viability and vitality of the local community, visitors and economy."

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Developments more than 2,500 sq m in size are required to carry out an impact assessment on nearby businesses under the Greater Norwich Local Plan.

Broadland Gate is undergoing rapid developmentBroadland Gate is undergoing rapid development (Image: Google) However, Marks & Spencer is willing to perform an assessment "for the sake of robustness" to show it would not cause a substantial impact despite being less than 2,500 sq m.

There are five other M&S Food Halls in the Norwich area - at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Sweet Briar Retail Park, Rampant Horse Street, Longwater Retail Park and Mousehold Lane - but these are considered far enough away to warrant building a new one in Postwick.

It comes as a number of other businesses including Travis Perkins, Greggs and storage company 1784 Holdings make bids for new retail centres in the park, substantially increasing its offerings.

The site would employ more than 40 full-time staff and be open seven days a weekThe site would employ more than 40 full-time staff and be open seven days a week (Image: South Norfolk Council)