Simply stunning: that’s the verdict of some shoppers amid news M&S could be coming to Farnham after all.

Social media and message boards were alive with excited chatter yesterday with news that M&S has submitted plans to open a foodhall on Farnham Retail Park.

Speculation has been building in recent weeks with surveyors being spotted onsite and construction workers tipping off retailers.

And it became official on Thursday morning, with the retailer confirming it had submitted plans for a foodhall at the edge of town site.

Some 70 jobs will be created if plans come to fruition, with shoppers and retail workers at the park welcoming the news on Thursday.

“Farnham needs M&S and this is exciting news, as all we seem to hear about is new houses coming to town, which we don’t need,” said shopper, Sasha Dennison.

Maureen, a visitor from Aldershot, is also pleased to hear M&S might be returning to the area.

She said: “I was gutted when I heard M&S was leaving Aldershot but I’m excited it’s coming here.

“I think it will be great for the area and I can’t wait until it opens, hopefully with a café.”

Andrew Ormerod, store colleague at Pets at Home, thinks the store’s arrival is good news for the town and retail park. Few need reminding M&S were meant to be an ‘anchor’ tenant at Brightwells Yard, but infamously pulled out of the scheme.

He said: "Homebase's closure had a big impact on footfall to Pets at Home but M&S coming to town is a massive boost.

“A construction worker came and told us they were moving in and then we had it confirmed by another customer shortly after that, so we are delighted it has been confirmed by M&S.”