Calum Corral

Marks and Spencer will open its new 9,000‑square‑foot Foodhall in Largs on August 13, nearly five years after the initial planning application. The store, built on the site of the former Pearson’s garage, will feature an in‑store bakery, fresh produce, and dedicated flower and wine sections, along with click‑and‑collect services. The opening follows a successful recruitment drive that created 50 jobs. The project, part of a wider £30 million investment in Scottish stores, faced delays due to licensing issues, rising construction costs, and infrastructure challenges but is now nearing completion.

A community councillor in Largs calls for the reopening of Mackerston public toilets, arguing that long queues for the CalMac ferry are causing people to urinate in nearby streets. He says current guidance to report incidents to police does not address the underlying issue. CalMac acknowledges congestion during peak times but notes its limited control over queues on public roads, while North Ayrshire Council says the Mackerston toilets were closed due to required investment and proximity to other facilities, which it maintains provide adequate year‑round coverage.