Marks & Spencer bosses have confirmed the firm is still coming to Witney, despite store closures and redundancies throughout the country.

The new store, on two floors, will remain a centre piece of the £50m Marriotts Close redevelopment, which is still on track to open in September.

Simons Developments is pressing ahead with the town centre scheme — one of only three major retail projects under way in the current recession .

Spokesman Alex Blakelock said: “The current circumstances at M&S in no way relate to our arrangement for the store opening at Marriotts Close.”

The retail giant recently announced the closure of 27 outlets and making over 1,200 staff redundant in the light of falling sales.

Most of those are Simply Food outlets, although two main stores are also for the axe.

But not only has it committed to Witney but has also opened a new Simply Food store at Oxford’s Railway Station, creating 30 jobs.

The store is open seven days a week, and sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to ready meals, snacks, salads, sandwiches and flowers.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Susanna Pressel, who declared the shop officially open, said: "I'm delighted to welcome M&S Simply Food to the station.

"The store offers rail travellers and residents variety, and a convenient solution for people working to a busy schedule."

The store has opened as part of an agreement between M&S and station food specialists SSP UK Rail.

Bob Johnson, of SSP UK Rail, said: "The M&S Simply Food concept has already become a big hit with commuters across the UK, and we expect it to be equally successful here.”

Store manager Mike McIntyre added: "I'm sure the store will be a useful addition to the shops that are already on the station concourse, and will be well used by commuters, residents and students."