Marks and Spencer has unveiled proposals for a 19,000 sq ft Foodhall that would be built in Littlehampton as part of a new retail park.
If approved, the Norway Lane site is expected to open in autumn 2027, and would create more than 70 local jobs.
Rebecca Rabadia, regional manager at M&S, said: “We are incredibly excited to share our plans for a brand-new M&S Food in Littlehampton.
“We want to offer our customers the very best of M&S, from the quality and value we’re known for to the latest exciting product launches.
“Our new store, backed by a significant investment, would offer just that from a brilliant location and we look forward to working with residents and Arun District Council (ADC) on the plans.”
Shoppers at the proposed new store would get access to more than 6,600 products, plus an in-store bakery and separate flower and wine shops.
The plans also include a Click and Collect point for online orders.
The M&S would sit alongside a new Lidl, Mountain Warehouse, Greggs and a DIY retailer at the proposed Watersmead Retail Park development.
Collectively, the shops represent a £20 million investment in the town and would create more than 250 permanent jobs across the site.
Matthew Hall, director at Hallway Properties, who are overseeing the development, said the plans delivered on M&S’s long-held ambition to open in the town.
He added: “We have been overwhelmed by the levels of support for the proposals.”
ADC’s planning committee now has to decide on the application, with residents urged to have their say on a new consultation website.
The Norway Lane site was previously home to the Body Shop headquarters, which were demolished last year after the company moved its operations to Brighton.
Hallway Properties previously described the demolition as making way for “some of the biggest names in retail”.
Residents can access the consultation here: https://www.littlehamptonmands.co.uk