M&S in legal battle over Oxford St refurbishment after Gove blocks flagship store demolition

Marks & Spencer has taken legal action against the government over a decision to block the demolition of its flagship store on Oxford Street.

The announcement was the latest in a bitter row between M&S chief Stuart Machin and Leveling Up secretary Michael Gove.

Sacha Berendji, Director of Operations at M&S ​​said: ‘We have done this because we believe the Secretary of State has misinterpreted and misapplied the planning policy, to justify his rejection of our plan on heritage and environmental grounds.

“It is hugely disappointing that after two years of support and approval at every stage, we have been forced to take legal action to overcome a deceptive agenda against our plan, and we will fight it.”

In July, Gove denied the retailer permission to demolish the 1929 Art Deco building near Marble Arch and build a much larger 10-story retail and office building.

M&S’ plan received support from local authorities, surrounding businesses and inspectors.

The government’s position is that the benefits of rejuvenating the store are outweighed by potential damage to the area’s heritage.

Gove disagreed with an expert’s view that demolition of the site was “the only realistic option.”

He also said it was “a commercial decision” for M&S whether or not to leave the store, in response to the retailer’s threats to close.

Last month, Machin labeled the decision “utterly pathetic.” He accused Gove of “taking an anti-corporate approach, stunting growth and denying Oxford Street hundreds of thousands of new quality jobs.”

He said the retailer had ‘no choice but to review its future position on Oxford Street at the whim of one man’, after nearly a century at Marble Arch.

Although M&S insisted there was ‘asbestos all over the building’ and that it was a maze for staff, there was a passionate response from heritage activists.

Some leading British architects, including London Eye designer Julia Barfield and Grand Designs TV presenter Kevin McCloud, opposed the plan.

Critics wanted to protect the building’s architectural grandeur and urged M&S to renovate rather than destroy it.

M&S is being defended by local business groups and neighbours, including luxury department store Selfridges, which called Gove’s decision “a very disappointing outcome”.

It comes as businesses are battling a plague of tacky candy stores in the area, while big names like Topshop have shut their doors.

Hopes of an Ikea store opening this fall were dashed when the furniture retailer said it had had to postpone its plans to next year.

Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company, which represents hundreds of businesses, said: ‘The Government’s decision to reject the redevelopment of Marks & Spencer was a missed opportunity to accelerate the growth of the West End and capitalize on the positive momentum that the district has experienced. experiences.

“The proposed redevelopment of the Marble Arch store must absolutely be part of the future growth of Oxford Street and we support the launch of an appeal by Marks & Spencer this week.”