M&S is to open a new food store at a prestigious Aberdeen housing development.
The Simply Food store, at Dandara’s Stoneywood community, will create 50 jobs.
Construction of the store, which is the first of its kind in the north of the city, is due to get underway soon.
M&S already has Simply Food outlets in Peterculter, Westhill and Inverurie.
The 11,000sq ft Stoneywood store is expected to open its doors in early 2017, and will occupy a site at the heart of the historic Stoneywood Estate, close to Waterton Mews and Forbes Place.
It will also feature a 5,000sq ft mezzanine level providing the store with office and staff facilities.
It will be the second food retail outlet at the Stoneywood development, which already has a Co-op.
The award-winning development will feature more than 576 properties once completed.
It received 5-Star titles and multiple commendations at the UK Property Awards in 2015, including the top award for best architecture (multiple residence) in Scotland for Waterton Mews.
Forbes Place, a development of 292 apartments and townhouses for the rental market was purchased by LaSalle Investment Management in 2015, and the first residents are expected to move in during June.
Neil Young, commercial development director at Dandara, said: “M&S’s investment is fantastic news for homeowners and tenants at Stoneywood, providing high quality shopping on their doorstep.
“Construction of the facility will commence shortly, and we look forward to welcoming M&S at the earliest possible stage.”
Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone councillor Barney Crockett also welcomed the news.
He said: “I think people will be very positive to hear about M&S moving into the area.
“We are delighted to hear about that.
“The whole area will be pleased.
“The M&S brand is always a popular one and people will be pleased to have that choice available.”