M&S is awaiting a crucial decision on its Marble Arch store redevelopment.
- Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will decide on the planning proposals.
- Stuart Machin of M&S plans to expand with ten additional stores.
- The proposal includes demolishing existing buildings for a new ten-storey structure.
- M&S previously won a legal challenge against the planning decision block.
M&S is on the brink of discovering whether its ambitious redevelopment plans for the Marble Arch store will proceed, a pivotal decision that hinges on Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner. Her decision, expected by 5 December, will determine the fate of the £600 million project aimed at transforming the flagship location into a modern retail and office hub.
The retailer’s CEO, Stuart Machin, is steering this redevelopment as part of a broader strategy intended to revitalise the brand. M&S looks to broaden its footprint with the opening of ten new stores in the wake of this redevelopment. The proposed plan involves the dismantling of three current structures to construct a new ten-storey building, featuring a contemporary store and an office space, which is expected to invigorate the local economy.
Previously, the project faced a roadblock when former Housing Secretary Michael Gove intervened, citing concerns over the impact on local heritage sites, including the historic Selfridges building. This decision was met with staunch criticism from Machin, who labelled it ‘utterly pathetic’, emphasising the project’s potential benefits for the surrounding area and its alignment with local commercial interests.
In March, M&S achieved a significant legal victory when the High Court ruled in their favour, overturning Gove’s decision. Judge Mrs Justice Lieven found errors in the original judgment regarding planning policies, paving the way for the current reconsideration of the plans. The court’s decision was a boost for M&S, validating the retailer’s commitment to this transformative project and alleviating previous setbacks.
The retail giant now awaits the final nod from Rayner, whose approval would signal a substantial leap forward in their redevelopment and expansion efforts. This decision not only impacts M&S but also sets a precedent for future urban redevelopment projects in heritage-sensitive areas.
The impending decision on M&S’ Marble Arch site is a key moment in the retailer’s strategic transformation.
