M&S is calling on residents to get behind plans for its major new foodhall in Kilmarnock. The call for community backing comes after M&S’s planning application to convert two units at Queens Drive Retail Park for food retail use is still under consideration by East Ayrshire Council and has yet to be approved. The proposed 14,680sqft store would include a Foodhall more than twice the size of the current offer. The King Street site will close in March 2027 when its lease expires. M&S said the new location would offer greater accessibility, improved parking, and a larger product selection. David Anderson, M&S regional manager, said: "Customer shopping habits are changing, and we are adapting by rotating our store estate to ensure we have the right stores with the right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience for our customers. This multi-million pound investment in relocating our Kilmarnock store to Queens Drive Retail Park offers an improved shopping experience in a modern, accessible retail destination, and we hope to receive a swift planning determination so we can move forward with our plans." If approved, the new store is expected to open in summer 2027. It would safeguard more than 71 existing jobs and create additional opportunities through construction and the broader logistics supply chain. Residents are being encouraged to show their support by visiting www.kilmarnockmands.com. The website offers more details about the plans and allows visitors to submit a letter of support directly to East Ayrshire Council. M&S first shared the plans with the community in October 2025. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 11th in Premiership, 28 pts, 6W-10D-17L from 33 games, recent form WWWWL. Goals this season: 37 scored, 65 conceded (-28 goal difference). Title race: 42 points behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian. Last result: Livingston 1-4 Kilmarnock (2026-05-17). Recent form (last 5): 5W-0D-0L (WWWWW, most recent first); on a 5-game winning run.