Marks & Spencer to open in York Station

Marks & Spencer has unveiled plans to open a food store in York Railway Station.

The M&S Simply Food branch will open where the travel centre currently is, as part of the wider redevelopment of the station.

At the same time, one of the station’s cafes is set to be redeveloped and rebranded.

No structural changes will be made to the Victorian station building, but permission is needed for the new M&S signs and internal layout changes because the station is a listed building, so a new application has been submitted to City of York Council.

Station operator LNER was granted planning permission earlier this year for a series of changes at the station.

The ticket office is to move to where the ladies’ toilets are at present, and they in turn will move to a space near Burger King. The kiosk housing the cash machines will also be removed.

More shops required

LNER’s predecessor, Virgin, had earlier said that in surveys, passengers said there should be more shops at the station.

The new application says: “The proposed M&S Simply Food will benefit passengers, providing a retail experience within the station concourse area.”

Plans to redevelop the Pumpkin cafe between platforms 7 and 9 have also been revealed. It will be renamed as Coffee Room, and will be refit and refurbished inside.

That application says: “The conversion at York railway station is in line with the franchise owners’ nationwide endeavor to refresh the brand and provide a better offer to its customers.”