MARKS & Spencer and Debenhams have been named in a report preparing for the £125m second phase of Didcot’s Orchard shopping centre.

Neither High Street favourite has confirmed it is definitely opening in the town but the report is the clearest indication yet that developer Hammerson is lining up big-name anchor stores.

A spokesman for property consultants GL Hearn, acting on behalf of Hammerson, said: “Marks & Spencer and Debenhams are mentioned because that is indicative of the types of tenants developers would like to see in this scheme.”

And last night M&S spokesman Jeremy Page said: “We can confirm we have an interest in Didcot Orchard shopping centre but have nothing further to confirm at this stage.”

The scheme, to double the size of the centre and transform it into one of Oxfordshire’s top shopping destination, was announced in March last year.

In December, developer Hammerson said it expected to submit a planning application in the spring, with the first shops opening by the end of 2014.

The £50m first phase of the Orchard Centre opened in 2005, and included the Cornerstone Arts Centre, Cineworld cinema, and dozens of new shops.

On Wednesday GL Hearn submitted an environmental scoping report to South Oxfordshire District Council, which describes the potential environmental effects of the development of the site alongside Lower Broadway.

Hundreds of new jobs could be created on the 10-acre site, and the plan includes dozens of new shops, town centre houses, an extension to Sainsbury’s, and Didcot Library moving to the centre from its current location near the civic hall.

The report shows a new M&S as one of two new anchor stores on the site.

According to the plans, M&S would occupy 25,000sq ft, while Debenhams would occupy a smaller 15,050sq ft site, and the Sainsbury’s store would expand, with a 22,060sq ft extension.

But town council leader Margaret Davies said the store giants would not have been included if developers were not confident of attracting big names.

She said: “I think this is a clear indication that negotiations have been taking place with some major retailers.

“If M&S is going to occupy a 25,000 sq ft site that should be big enough to include clothes as well as food. We don’t want it to be just another convenience store because there is a desperate need for a men’s clothing store in Didcot.

“I think people will be delighted to hear that there is a possibility that M&S is coming to Didcot.

Didcot Chamber of Commerce spokesman Julia Williams said: “Big-name anchor stores would drive people into Didcot. From day one Hammerson has been very serious about this project and moving things forward.”

South Oxfordshire district councillor for Didcot Bill Service added: “Phase two could be an attractive proposition for these big chains and the retail offer will radically improve if they do come in.”

When Hammerson bosses announced phase two last year they said they wanted John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams to open flagship stores by 2014, as part of the 200,000 sq ft development of new shops, cafés and restaurants.

The scheme is also set to create 1,500 new car parking spaces.

Debenhams spokesman Lizzie Singleton said the chain could not comment on ‘speculation’ but added: “We are always looking for new sites.”