Marks and Spencer food outlet set for Ely following sale of two petrol stations by Jonathan and Rebecca James

MARKS and Spencer is coming to Ely as part of the sale by Fenland entrepreneurs Jonathan and Rebecca James of two petrol service stations.

The BP garage on Witchford Road will be leased to the oil giant with the forecourt due for a �500,000 refurbishment, including the arrival of a Simply Food Marks and Spencer outlet.

The James’ family owned James Graven group is also letting out its Littleport garage to new owners and the 45 staff employed at the two sites will transfer to new employers.

Mr James said that he would be focussing on a �2.3 million business park development in Littleport, with plans expected to be submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council in the next few weeks.

He added that James Graven would retain its Budgens outlet in Soham and Budgens supermarket in Dersingham, Norfolk.

Mr James said: “We are delighted that we have secured a Marks and Spencer Simply Food outlet for the City of Ely; the need for which has been talked about for some time locally.

“We believe that it will prove popular with local residents and motorists. Our staff will all transfer to BP with no loss of jobs.”

The Witchford Road site will also be fitted out with a Wild Bean Caf� and is expected to be close for three weeks while the work is carried out.

Dave Newton, in charge of BP’s UK company owned and franchise petrol stations, said: “The Witchford Road site plays a big part in the local community and we aim to build on the legacy the James Graven group have created as well as bringing the freshness of the M&S and BP Wild Bean Caf� offers to customers old and new.”