MARKS and Spencer are due to open a new outlet in the city next month. Work on an M&S Simply Food store at the BP Connect petrol station on Malpas Road is now well advanced. At least five new jobs are being created as a result of the venture.

From November 26, motorists will be able to fill up with petrol and buy food for their evening meal, said the company.

At the moment customers are using a temporary building to pay for their petrol while the revamp of the store is under way.

When it is completed, the shop will be open every day around the clock and will carry around 750 food lines including ready meals, sandwiches, wine, flowers, fresh produce and basic groceries alongside BP's Wild Bean Cafe.

Manager Deborah Harrison said they hoped customers would be pleased with the new store. "We have worked hard to create a store which caters for customers needs.

I am sure they will be very happy with the range of foods on offer. I can't wait for the doors to open now." BP and M&S first linked up to trial Simply Food at two locations in London and Dumbarton in 2005. Now there are 100 around the country with plans to expand to 200 over the next few years. Marks and Spencer also has more than 200 stand alone Simply Food stores across the country.

The company has had a store in Newport's Commercial Street for many years but plans to move into the proposed new £200 million Friars Walk scheme. M&S will be one of the key anchor stores in the scheme along with Debenhams.