This is not just store wars - this is M&S store wars

M&S plans to expand its Gemini store to make it its largest outlet in the north west and one of its biggest flagship stores in the country.

And it will completely revamp its town centre premises to take on Debenhams in the new £120m Golden Square shopping centre.

"We're conscious that Golden Square looks like it is going to be a great success and will do a lot for the town," town planner Justin Gartland told the borough council's planning committee.

"M&S have been investing a lot in their other stores but Warrington has not received that investment yet. But they want to keep pace with other stores in the area."

The 25,000 square feet expansion at Gemini - which is subject to planning permission - will create 80 new jobs.

It will involve extending the first floor to provide space for a greater range of clothing - including petite, bridal, luxury and Autograph - as well as white goods and electrical equipment.

The food hall will feature a hot-food-to-go counter, a deli, espresso bar and a champagne bar' while customer service areas and toilets will be improved.

"We want to give customers (in the north west) access to our total offering," said property planner Robert Murray.

"So within 45 minutes' drive they have access to a much bigger shop.

"We want to make Gemini the largest flagship shop in the north west."

Although Gemini is the more ambitious part of the plan, M&S sees attracting shoppers back into its neglected town centre outlet as crucial.

"We have been very impressed with the Golden Square scheme," said site planner Murray Lackenby. "We've seen a very different type of customer coming in asking for products they didn't ask for before."

Planned improvements include selling more fresh food and a greater range of women's clothing, men's formal wear, and kids' wear, and customer services.

The plans will be on show to the public at M&S Gemini this Friday and Saturday between 11am and 4pm.