Monte Blackburn launches consultation on its Colne plans
How the proposed M&S Food Hall would look(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
The Issa brothers’ property arm and Marks and Spencer have unveiled plans for a new Food Hall in Colne.
The 2,300 square metre store, with 1,672 square metres of trading space would be built adjacent to the EG on the Move services at the end of the M65 in the town.
The Issa brothers’ property firm Monte Blackburn Ltd on Wednesday opened a public consultation seeking views from local people and businesses on its plans to jointly submit a new full planning application for the development with M&S.
The planning application to Pendle Council will come forward in the coming months following the results of the online consultation and distribution of leaflets to nearby properties.
The proposal is in addition to Monte Blackburn and M&S’s stalled scheme for a £10.1million food hall on Frontier Park.
This development which was granted planning permission by Hyndburn Council in April is currently awaiting a High Court hearing following a second legal challenge from supermarket Tesco supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.
The challenge to the Frontier Park food hall comes against the background of M&S’s decision to close its existing 1980s all-purpose store in Blackburn town centre’s King William Street when its lease expires in September 2027.
The proposed new Colne store would have 170 car parking spaces, be landscaped and integrated into the existing access road that presently serves the roadside services and create up to 70 new jobs.
The M65 site currently has planning approval for a small warehouse development, but Monte Blackburn and M&S will jointly submit a new full application for the food hall scheme, which if approved, will allow the site to be fully developed out.
If planning permission is granted construction could start in late 2026 with opening anticipated in Autumn 2027.
M&S is proposing the Colne store ‘to deliver more products to its local customers’.
The consultation document says the car park will include EV charging points, accessible bays and secure cycle parking.
The development will feature modern architecture, high-quality landscaping and sustainable features including energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, solar PV panels, and biodiversity enhancements
The location offers convenient access off Whitewalls Drive.
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.”
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