MARKS and Spencer has confirmed it will have a cafe at its Stockton Heath food hall which is set to open before the end of the year.

The single-level shop in The Forge will be home to a 'cafe to go' type facility and will include seats, although the figure of how many will not be revealed until closer to the launch.

Sixty members of staff will be employed and 5,000 food lines are going to be on offer to shoppers.

Seventeen residents and traders gathered at last night's, Tuesday, Stockton Heath Parish Council meeting at the Sandy Lane Centre to question Di Bartolo, the future store manager of the M&S shop in the village.

Parish council chairman Celia Jordan welcomed Ms Bartolo shortly after the meeting commenced.

She added: "It will be a great asset but there may be one or two downsides."

Ms Bartolo, who is currently based at a Chester store, answered questions from those in attendance, including parish councillors.

The Stockton Heath resident admitted she was 'delighted' to find out she would be taking on the role.

"The most exciting thing for me is I do live in the village – when I found out the store was opening it was like Christmas came early," she said.

"A lot of homework has gone into this."

She labelled the bond of the public at the meeting as an 'asset' and vowed to do her best to answer any concerns.

A key issue highlighted by many was the parking problem at The Forge.

"I accept it is not perfect – one hour free was important for us," added Ms Bartolo.

She also confirmed parking at the location will remain the same for the current 'moment of time'.

Parish councillor and Appleton borough councillor Peter Walker admitted parking at the site is a 'major' issue but said he hopes the power of M&S will influence change.

An M&S spokesman confirmed the store will offer a 'shop your way' service, giving customers 'the choice of ordering from M&S.com in store or online', with the added benefit of free next day in store delivery and collection.

Alcohol will be served at the food hall and toilets will be available to use for shoppers.

Opening hours will be 'similar' to those that were in place at the Co-operative, which is being replaced.

M&S has reaffirmed Co-op staff will be offered a position.

No launch date has been given but the company said it is hoping to open before the 'end of the year'.

Last night Cllr Laurence Murphy (LAB – Stockton Heath) raised the issue of asbestos after traces were found in the store.

But Ms Bartolo insisted there will be 'no risk' to shoppers when the store is open and that it has not in any way affected the launch date.

Planning documents have been submitted by M&S over the installation of plant equipment, a replacement trolley bay, consent to display four halo-illuminated advertisement signs and alterations to the front of the shop.

But a specific application for the cafe was not required.

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