MARKS & Spencer could offer out-of-town food shopping seven days a week. Creasey’s, which operates the local franchise, is seeking permission to convert the former Ruette Braye Motors garage in St Martin’s.

Because it would have an area of 3,500sq. ft, it would be able to open on a Sunday under the current law.

The garage has stood empty since the collapse of Five Oaks last year.

Managing director Tony Creasey said the company had been considering finding somewhere out of St Peter Port for some time.

‘We have been trying to find a suitable location and have been looking at a number of different options,’ he said.

‘I would be very surprised if there were any serious objections from other retail outlets but we can’t tell. We don’t anticipate objections if it’s a modest size.’

The shop would operate under the Simply Food format, which would be a first for Guernsey.

There are currently two of these outlets in Jersey selling a selection of the fresh and chilled food range as well as wine, flowers and other convenience items.

‘It’s only in more recent times that M&S has developed this concept which seems to be ideally suited for the local situation,’ said Mr Creasey.

If change of use permission is granted, detailed plans will be drawn up.

‘It’s difficult to say when we could be trading until we have passed this first hurdle. We don’t want to pre-empt anything and say we will be trading earlier until the plans have been considered,’ he said.

Mr Creasey said that the store would run alongside the successful food hall in the Town store.

Up to 25 staff would be needed, 15 full-time.

‘This outlet would enable us to extend the products to people who maybe don’t come to Town that often or who are not working in the Town centre,’ said Mr Creasey.

‘It will offer a quality food shopping environment with car parking immediately available.’

The fuel pumps would remain and the forecourt convenience shop would continue trading. The site is still under the ownership of Ruette Braye Motors.

Refurbishment is currently already under way at the M&S High Street shop, which has about 5,000sq. ft of floor space.

A lift is being replaced, food hall equipment will be renewed in the spring and the textile floors will undergo a facelift to bring them up to date.

‘We are continuing to make investment in Town because the Town centre still remains the core of the business. But we have always appreciated that there is greater demand than we are currently able to satisfy in our existing footing,’ said Mr Creasey.

‘By finding and developing this site it will enable us to expand the business.’

Car parking is an issue for the Town centre and retailers and it would be provided in St Martin’s.

Mr Creasey confirmed that M & S was not in discussions with the Markets developer about taking space there.