Marks and Spencer to open new store in Dunfermline retail park

The firm is reportedly set to be coming to Halbeath Retail Park in a significant shift from earlier plans that were put forward by the site's previous owners, Royal London.

The land earmarked for expansion at the Dunfermline retail park was originally granted planning permission in 2017 for nine additional units, an extension that was expected to double the number of shops and bring in Lidl, an M&S Foodhall and more than 200 jobs.

Work on that phase was repeatedly delayed, with the permission kept alive through extensions and a late start on site after disputes over financial contributions to Fife Council for transport contributions and land needed for the local authority's planned bypass, the Northern Link Road.

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Lidl have also moved forward with plans for two outlets elsewhere in West Fife, at the old King Malcolm Hotel site in Dunfermline and at Admiralty Road in Rosyth.

The retail park has since changed hands, and the new owner is reportedly now bringing the scheme forward under its 9 Yards retail park platform.

The current floor plan for Halbeath Retail Park, with the 'Under Offer' building on the right, which is yet to be built, set to be home to a new M&S. (Image: 9 Yards)

Instead of delivering a row of smaller new units as previously envisaged, the revised plan centres on constructing a single large-format building to house Marks and Spencer.

While no formal announcement has yet been made, it is believed that the high street giant is being lined up as the tenant for the new-build store at Halbeath.

More units may be added on the site in future, but it is too early to say whether any of the remaining consented space will be built out.

The move will also raise fresh questions over the future of the existing Marks and Spencer store in Dunfermline High Street.

The company shut its Kirkcaldy High Street branch after opening a larger, out-of-town store at Fife Central Retail Park, and there will now be concerns locally that a similar shift towards retail park trading could eventually threaten the Dunfermline city centre site.

Halbeath Retail Park is already home to a number of national retailers, including Wickes, Halfords, B&M, Currys, Argos and Pets at Home, and has long been viewed as a key shopping destination for Dunfermline and the wider West Fife area.

It's also across the road from the Pittsburgh Retail Park, which has Costa, Burger King, Greggs and a Stephens drive-thru.

The arrival of a major Marks and Spencer operation is expected to further increase footfall once the new store opens, and would represent a substantial boost to the park’s offer.