M&S has revealed a list of 500 target locations for new food stores, including Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford, Great Dunmow and Hertford.

Currently, the closest specialist outlets stocking a full range of groceries are in Braintree and Epping.

The chain aims to double the size of its food business and has 20 stores opening or renewing before the end of the financial year, creating 800 new jobs.

M&S says it is looking for highly visible and accessible sites capable of delivering trading space of 1,672.25 sq m (18,000 sq ft) at 500 potential locations.

Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, said: “The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth.

“With more than 20 stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster.

Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S Food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers.”

The business says it is reshaping for growth with the key aim of expanding the size of its food stores “to stock a fuller range and attract more customers to do their weekly shop”.

The new stores feature an extended range of M&S Food, wider aisles for bigger shopping trolleys and larger car parks for more family shoppers.