Developers have refused to comment on “speculation” that Marks and Spencer will not be moving into a new apartment block in the centre of Marlow.

M&S has long been tipped to fill the large retail space at the new Windsor House development on the corner of Spittal Street and Dean Street when it is finally built.

However, hoardings around the outside of the building currently read: “1, 2 or 3 ground floor retail units to let” prompting concerns that the popular supermarket will not be filling the space after all.

In September last year, Sorbon Estates – part of the Shanly Group – confirmed the "existing interest" in the store remained and that talks were in the "latter stages" for a tenant to move in.

Sorbon had previously revealed that they had a “firm offer” from M&S when plans first emerged for the new building in 2014.

M&S already has a store in Marlow, just yards away in Spittal Street and it was expected that it would move its operation to Windsor House – almost doubling its current shop floor size.

Marlow resident, John Burnham, said if Marks and Spencer was no longer coming to Windsor House, it was a “matter of public concern”.

He said: “Shanly’s Windsor House building was originally sold to our councillors and town planners on the basis that the building was to be built for Marks and Spencer to occupy all the ground floor and a large food storage block.

“Now that is no longer the case, it is a matter of public concern. The building will have a major impact upon the town’s retailers, the environment and the Conservation Area.

“It affects us all. Marlow does not need any more empty shops.”

Questions are now being asked about what kind of store will fill the ground floor space when the building is completed.

Mr Burnham added: “If not a food store then, which would it be? Maybe a number of ‘here today gone tomorrow’ pop-up shops.

“Whichever it is, what will the very large storage block planned for the food store be used for? The block takes up valuable space which could otherwise be used for ground level car parking, thereby eliminating the need for the basement carpark.”

A spokesperson from Sorbon Estates commented: “We regard all letting negotiations as commercially confidential and do not comment on general speculation.”