{"id":210695,"date":"2022-06-21T16:58:30","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T15:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/?p=210695"},"modified":"2022-06-21T19:15:17","modified_gmt":"2022-06-21T18:15:17","slug":"marks-spencer-blasts-michael-goves-decision-to-block-its-oxford-street-store-redevelopment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/marks-spencer-blasts-michael-goves-decision-to-block-its-oxford-street-store-redevelopment\/","title":{"rendered":"Marks & Spencer blasts Michael Gove\u2019s decision to \"block\" its Oxford Street store redevelopment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has lambasted Michael Gove over his \u201cbaseless\u201d decision to \u201cblock\u201d the redevelopment of the chain\u2019s Oxford Street store.<\/p>\n

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The group\u2019s proposal to flatten its flagship 1929 Art Deco store on Oxford Street and replace it with a much larger 10-storey retail and office block designed by Pilbrow + Partners, was supported last November by Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and local business and residents.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

However, Michael Gove has now ordered a public inquiry into the move after campaigner warned that knocking down and rebuilding the site would have an adverse environmental impact.<\/strong><\/p>\n

M&S has said it was \u201cbewildered and disappointed\u201d with the Communities Secretary\u2019s actions and claimed he prefers the \u201cproliferation of stores hawking counterfeit goods\u201d than its plans to invest in the store.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sacha Berendji, group property, store development and technology director at M&S, said: \u201cAfter two years of working with Westminster City Council, the GLA and the local business and resident community which has supported the development at every stage, we are bewildered and disappointed at Michael Gove\u2019s baseless decision<\/strong> to call in the proposed redevelopment of our Marble Arch site.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Secretary of State has blocked the only retail-led regeneration in the whole of Oxford Street in a building which was refused listed status due to its low design quality and, while safe, cannot be modernised through refitting as it\u2019s three separate buildings containing asbestos.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty percent of units on Oxford Street lay vacant and the Secretary of State appears to prefer a proliferation of stores hawking counterfeit goods<\/strong> to a gold-standard retail-led regeneration of the nation\u2019s favourite high street.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Marks & Spencer's proposed new site<\/p><\/div>\n

The comments come at a time when US sweet shops lacing the iconic London street have come under fire for selling counterfeit products.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Westminster City Council seized a haul of counterfeit products totalling \u00a3100,000 from three unnamed stores on London\u2019s Oxford Street.<\/p>\n

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After Westminster City Council, the GLA and local business and residents have supported our development at every stage, we are bewildered and disappointed at Michael Gove's baseless decision to call in the proposed re-development of our Marble Arch site. Full statement below. pic.twitter.com\/fNU1coV9Vu<\/a><\/p>\n

— M&S News (@MandSnews) June 21, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n