Retailers slam M&S decision to demolish West End store

A letter from landlords and property investors sent to Mr Gove on Friday said the decision would undermine the appeal of the West End as an international centre. The letter was signed by Sir Peter Rogers, chairman of the New West End Company, which represents retailers and hoteliers. It was signed by property investors, including Royal London Asset Management.

The inquiry will consider the pros and cons of bulldozing and rebuilding the store instead of refitting it. M&S says a full rebuild is needed because the way in which people shop has changed. It said that this was made starker during the Covid epidemic when more customers opted to buy online.

He said that the building was refused listed status due to its low design quality and, while it is safe, cannot be modernised through refitting as it is three separate buildings containing asbestos.

He said that an independent assessment of the building's carbon impact found that a new build offered higher sustainability benefits than a refit.