M&S warns it will close Oxford Street store if rebuild plans are blocked

Marks and Spencer has warned an inquiry it will close its Oxford Street location if its plans to demolish and rebuild the property are refused, according to the BBC.

M&S’s scheme to rebuild the site featuring new offices, a gym and a cafe have faced opposition from campaigners who argue the plans would lead to a significant amount of embodied carbon emissions caused by the demolition.

The group, Save Britain’s Heritage, has instead called for M&S to refurbish the existing site – which is over 90-years-old.

According to the outlet, Matthew Fraser, on behalf of campaign group Save, said: “The heritage impacts have been considerably underestimated by M&S and are not outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.”

He added that it is expected the demolition would release almost 40,000 tonnes of carbon.

However, Russell Harris KC, representing M&S, told the inquiry: “Any heritage harm will be significantly outweighed by the benefits.” He added that M&S would “not be made to trade” at the site and that if the scheme was refused no further investment would be made at the location.

The inquiry is expected to last for a further week and a half before a decision is made.