Plans for a new Marks and Spencer Food Hall in Colne have been unveiled by the Issa brothers’ property arm, signalling a major new retail development at the gateway to the town.

Monte Blackburn Ltd, the property company linked to billionaire entrepreneurs Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa, has launched a public consultation on proposals to build the store alongside the EG on the Move services at the end of the M65.

The proposed 2,300 square metre development would include 1,672 square metres of trading space, 170 car parking spaces and could create up to 70 jobs if approved.

The company is seeking feedback from residents and businesses before submitting a full planning application to Pendle Borough Council in the coming months.

How the proposed new M&S Food Hall would look.

placeholder image — How the proposed new M&S Food Hall would look.

The scheme represents a fresh attempt by Monte Blackburn and Marks and Spencer to expand in East Lancashire while uncertainty continues to surround their stalled £10.1 million Food Hall proposal at Frontier Park.

That development, approved by Hyndburn Council in April, remains on hold pending a High Court hearing following a second legal challenge brought by supermarket rival Tesco and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The wider backdrop includes Marks and Spencer’s decision to close its existing Blackburn town centre store on King William Street when its lease expires in September 2027.

The proposed Colne Food Hall would be built on land currently approved for a small warehouse scheme, with developers instead seeking permission for a retail-led development integrated into the existing access road serving the roadside services off Whitewalls Drive.

If planning permission is granted, construction could begin in late 2026 with an anticipated opening in autumn 2027.

Marks and Spencer says the new store is intended “to deliver more products to its local customers”.

Consultation documents state the site would include electric vehicle charging points, accessible parking bays and secure cycle storage, alongside landscaped surroundings and biodiversity improvements.

The building would incorporate modern architectural design and sustainable features including energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and solar photovoltaic panels.

The consultation says: “Marks and Spencer is proud to support British farming through long-standing relationships with over 9,500 Select Farm partners across the UK. We work with suppliers based in Lancashire such as Bright Blue Foods in Shadsworth and Winterbotham Darby in Clitheroe.

“The food hall will further strength these relationships and contribute to Lancashire’s economic resilience.”

Residents can submit views as part of the consultation before plans are formally lodged with Pendle Council.