Marks and Spencer Group PLC's (LSE:MKS) (M&S) row with campaigners over the proposed demolition of its flagship Marble Arch store rumbles on, with chief executive Stuart Machin saying the current building is “riddled with asbestos.”
The demolition project has faced backlash ever since it was first floated over three years ago by the retailer.
M&S argue that the historical site is not fit for purpose, citing poor energy efficiency and say that demolishing and rebuilding is the only viable option to deliver a more sustainable site.
Former Communities Secretary Michael Gove launched a public enquiry into the matter last June, which angered the FTSE 250-listed company.
As part of the enquiry, M&S said there was “no heritage reason” as to why the three buildings on the site should not be demolished.
Lawyer Russell Harris, representing M&S, argued “any heritage harm will be significantly outweighed by the benefits.”
Plans to demolish the buildings, however, have received plenty of pushback from prominent figures, including travel author Bill Bryson.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage, a charity to publicly campaign for endangered buildings, has been leading the fight.
During the enquiry, it said the demolition will cause “substantial and unjustified harm to the historic character of Oxford Street.”
Environmentalists have also argued that the demolition would release some 40,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.