// Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove delays decision on M&S Marble Arch redevelopment plans
// This comes as chief executive Stuart Machin reveals £12.5m London investment plan
Michael Gove has delayed his decision on the redevelopment plans for M&S’ Marble Arch store by three months.
This comes as chief executive Stuart Machin revealed the high street giant will invest £12.5m in its shops across the capital this year.
According to Building Design, the Levelling Up secretary, who was due to make a final ruling by 3 May, has postponed the decision will until 20 July.
However, the delay surrounding the Marble Arch store has not deterred the retailer.
Machin told the Evening Standard that M&S, which has more than 100 stores across the London, will increase its investment into the capital this year, up from £10.3m in 2022.
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He said the retailer will rollout its renewals format in more locations across the city and “double its new store square footage across London, through openings like our brand new 38,000 sq ft store in Croydon’s Purley Way”.
M&S said a revamp of its Victoria Cardinal Place store and Waterloo Station branch is in the works as well as a new foodhall in Liverpool Street Station.
“London is also a special place for M&S,” Machin told the outlet.
“Our first store in the capital opened in 1913, offering customers the same high quality great value products that we’re famous for today.
“Today’s investment shows that we are committed to offering shoppers in our great capital city the best of M&S for the next 100 years and beyond.”
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