NEARLY two years after the plans were first revealed the new Marks & Spencer food store in Ferndown will officially open in July.

The store, which is being built at the site of the former Westwood Car Sales building in Ringwood Road, includes a cafe and 50 parking spaces.

Ten per cent of the store will be devoted to non-food goods.

A new pedestrian link improving access to and from the store to the town centre has also been constructed.

Plans to transform the former car dealership was unveiled by property and development company Simons Group in July 2014.

The construction team have now finished the outside of the building and are now working on the inside to build the café.

A spokesman from Simons Group said: "We are working towards a store opening on Wednesday, July 6, but are still firming up plans.

"Our team handover to the M&S fit out team took place this week so we should know the final details of the opening imminently," she added.

Around 50 new jobs will be created at the store when it finally opens.

And a further 250 jobs were required during the construction of the building.

Throughout the construction process the development company have been keen to create close links with the local community.

This has included a number of site visits by pupils from Ferndown First School, which is located just around the corner from the new store.

The final visit took place last week when a dozen pupils from Year 2, 3, and 4 were given a tour of the building.

Speaking about the visits, headteacher Jo Di-Pede said: “On behalf of the children and staff at Ferndown First School I want to thank Simons Group for their willingness to accommodate our regular visits down to the site.

"From my initial meeting with the group on site in the early stages of the build right up until the handover date, children and staff have been welcomed on to the site.

"It has been a great opportunity for the children and something they will remember.”

For more details about the site go to simonsgroup.com/ferndown.