Retail Property - First for M&S as trial Simply Food opens at services

Marks & Spencer is to open its first Simply Food store at a motorway service station, with a trial outlet at Toddington services between Junctions 11 and 12 of the M1 in Bedfordshire.

The deal with service area operator Moto, part of the Compass Group, will see the 2,100 sq ft (195 sq m) store open in late Summer.

M&S is already rolling out 40 Simply Food stores at major railway stations through a franchise agreement with Compass subsidiary Select Service Partner.

The store will focus on ready meals and M&S's popular Food To Go offer of fresh drinks, sandwiches, sushi and prepared salads.

Marks & Spencer general manager of food formats Jill Bruce said: 'Our Simply Food format has been extremely successful and we plan to roll out 150 to high streets, stations and suburbs by 2005/06.'