Marks & Spencer has won approval to redevelop its flagship Marble Arch store on London’s Oxford Street.
Angela Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, approved the retailer’s scheme today.
Her decision brings to an end years of controversy and legal wrangling that began after the retailer submitted a planning application to redevelop the store in March 2021.
M&S chief executive 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.”
While the store is M&S’ flagship, it is seen as unsuited to contemporary retail. However, the redevelopment plans were opposed by architectural heritage and environmental groups, prompting frustration at Marks & Spencer, which warned it would have to shut the shop unless it was allowed to overhaul it.
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.”
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