The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has today approved the redevelopment of the Marks & Spencer store at Marble Arch. More than three years after submitting the proposal in March 2021, the Government has said the development can go ahead.
M&S CEO, Stuart Machin said: “I am delighted that, after three unnecessary years of delays, obfuscation and political posturing at its worst, under the previous Government, our plans for Marble Arch – the only retail-led regeneration proposal on Oxford Street – have finally been approved.
“We can now get on with the job of helping to rejuvenate the UK’s premier shopping street through a flagship M&S store and office space, which will support 2,000 jobs and act as a global standard-bearer for sustainability.”
Marks & Spencer was previously permitted to demolish the building and replace it with a new, modern store alongside office and leisure facilities. However, the decision was overturned by former Secretary of State, Michael Gove, on heritage and environmental grounds last year.
Stuart Machin responded furiously to the decision, saying the existing building was riddled with asbestos and retro-fitting a modern store into the old facade was not feasible. At the time, he described the decision as “unfathomable” and suggested the retailer might walk away from the site altogether.
In March, Marks & Spencer won its High Court challenge over the blocking of its Marble Arch flagship redevelopment. Now, after winning the Secretary of State’s approval, M&S plans to “regenerate the West End to regain its position on the world stage as a global shopping destination” with its new Marble Arch store, which includes the demolition and rebuild of the site.
Though refitting the existing art-deco store was preferred, M&S said: “While our aim is always to consider refurbishment first, it is not possible to retrofit the Marble Arch site into a new, modern flagship store.” After trialling sixteen different plans to retrofit the space.
Machin added: “We share the Government’s ambition to breathe life back into our cities and towns and are pleased to see they are serious about getting Britain building and growing. We will now move as fast as we can.”
Dee Corsi, Chief Executive at New West End Company, shared this sentiment. She said: “Today’s decision by the Government sends a strong and positive signal for businesses across the UK, particularly in flagship high street locations which are key drivers of economic growth.
“The redevelopment of Marks & Spencer’s flagship store at Marble Arch will help cement the West End’s status as a global destination for shoppers and office workers alike, revitalising Oxford Street West and reinforcing the message to international investors that the UK is firmly open for business.”
