Progress on M&S and Next at St Michael's Retail Park, Ripon

The two major retailers will take up the remaining spaces in St Michael’s Retail Park, Rotary Way, Ripon - with building work on the M&S extension expected by spring this year.

St Michael’s Retail Park, Ripon (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Just before Christmas planning agents acting on behalf of Next were granted planning approval from North Yorkshire Council to combine two units to create the store, while M&S, who already have a store at the retail park, have agreed to take another of the units to extend its food hall offering.

A spokesperson for M&S added: “We will be increasing the space in store from 7,300 to 12,300 sq ft, to significantly improve the range of food products in store.

A sign confirming the work (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) “The store will have an upgraded in-store bakery and include coffee to go, a fresh produce selection, a new Click and Collect proposition, improving the wine, Beers, and spirits offer, adding new checkouts.”

Groundwork began last August but on Tuesday (February 18), industrial vehicles, work crews and diggers were seen at the site. 

For the last few months, machines have been digging out part of the car park and making preparations for the building work that will house the two stores. 

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In new images from the site, boards, which read "Your new and improved food hall is coming soon", can be seen confirming the work.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for Next said that the new store is set to open in late May, though this could be pushed back.

For a time, Lidl had been set to move next to the retail park, gaining planning approval for such a move, but due to delays, it pulled out of a contract with the developer last year, and Next moved to the development instead.