Marks & Spencer wins legal battle for Marble Arch

Following the launch of a Judicial Review, British department store Marks & Spencer has finally won a case to unblock the redevelopment of its Marble Arch store in London.

Back in July 2023, the secretary of state, Michael Gove, had initially denied the retailer’s request to demolish the building following an already lengthy legal battle surrounding the issue.

However, upon being granted permission by the High Court to apply for a Judicial Review in November, the department store’s request now appears to have gone through.

In a release, Marks & Spencer’s operations director, Sacha Berendji, said: “Today’s judgement couldn’t be clearer, the court has agreed with our arguments on five out of the six counts we brought forward and ruled that the secretary of state’s decision to block the redevelopment of our Marble Arch store was unlawful.

“The result has been a long, unnecessary and costly delay to the only retail-led regeneration on Oxford Street which would deliver one of London’s greenest buildings, create thousands of new jobs and rejuvenate the capital’s premier shopping district.”

Marks & Spencer had first been granted the permission to knock down the historic location and replace it with a modernised set up. However, after heightened scrutiny surrounding the plans came through from environmental groups, Gove got involved in the proceedings.

The British politician had stated at the time that the move could cause potential harm to nearby landmarks, while further claiming that the company had failed to consider the reuse of existing resources.