A new Marks & Spencer store will open its doors on the outskirts of Norwich next week.

The 7,700 sq ft foodhall will open at Longwater Retail Park at Costessey next Wednesday, with bosses saying it will create 63 new jobs.

But the move led to a note of caution being sounded by city centre managers, concerned at the possible impact on Norwich itself.

It follows Marks & Spencer's decisions to open a Simply Food store in Sweet Briar Retail Park on Norwich's ring road last summer and to move out of Great Yarmouth town centre to the out of town Gapton Hall Retail Park.

The new Costessey foodhall will stock more than 4,500 food and drink lines, including beers and wines and fresh produce, as well as a bakery and a 50-seat cafe.

Rob Jackson, store manager, said: 'We're thrilled to be bringing the very best of M&S food to New Costessey.

'We're confident that our high quality offering will appeal to locals, as well as those in the surrounding areas, and think that the store is a great addition to Longwater Retail Park.

'I'm looking forward to welcoming customers when we open our doors at 10am on Wednesday.'

The store will be open between 8am and 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sundays.

Stefan Gurney, executive director of Norwich Business Improvement District, said: 'At a local level, it is good that Marks & Spencer are investing in this area, although we would obviously prefer that to be in the city centre.

'But they have invested £50m in the city centre store, so we know they are committed to Norwich. I can see that they are looking at convenience shopping and competing with the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury's, with their smaller stores.

'We would make a case for not investing too heavily in out of town, but ultimately it comes down to local authorities making decisions. I would hope there is a common sense approach across the councils.'

The arrival of M&S at Costessey follows the opening last week of a new Next store opposite the retail park.

The superstore has moved from its former site at the retail park.

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