Former Glasgow Marks and Spencer's facade should be retained

Historic Environment Scotland has agreed that the facade of the former store on Sauchiehall Street should not be demolished.

A developer is proposing to build a major mixed-use complex including a large student accommodation facility. The store closed in 2022.

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Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney revealed that while HES wouldn't be going as far as listing the building, the body would be in favour of the facade being preserved.

Marks and Spencer's Sauchiehall Street in the early 1960s (Image: Newsquest)

HES’s response, sent to Glasgow City Council, states: “We consider that the 1935/6 building and its 1938 extension at 172-84 Sauchiehall Street contributes positively to the conservation area and advise that this building should be retained and sensitively incorporated into any redevelopment of this site. Façade retention of this building would be acceptable to us.

“172-84 Sauchiehall Street contains no interior features of interest and its roof is concealed behind the parapet. The building is not seen in the round and only its façade contributes to the character of the conservation area.

“We therefore consider that its façade could be incorporated into a new building without diminishing its contribution to the conservation area.

“It would, however, be important to ensure that any replacement building was designed carefully to allow the historic frontage to retain its historic proportions and its character as an individual building.”

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Mr Sweeney said HES's viewpoint was warmly welcomed, adding: "The façade of the old M&S unit contributes positively to Sauchiehall Street and is one of the few examples of art deco architecture in the city.

“It should be retained, and I am hopeful the developer will work towards that eventual outcome.”

Marks and Spencer closed its Sauchiehall Street store in April 2022 (Image: The old M&S on Sauchiehall Street)

The Marks and Spencer store, designed by Robert Lutyens, had a place on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street for 87 years before closing its doors for good in April 2022.

The store was the first in Scotland to have a café and also had staff wearing co-ordinated uniforms, with dark dresses and starched white collars, for the first time.

It was also home to some of the most decorated M&S colleagues to serve in the forces during the Second World War.

Marks and Spencer bosses said the closure was in response to “changing” shopping habits in what was described as another blow in the street’s “collapse”.

Despite investment in recent years, with a redevelopment increasing space for pedestrians and cyclists, Sauchiehall Street has been plagued with large numbers of vacant units.

Glasgow Marks and Spencer's Sauchiehall Street store (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Fusion Students said: “As part of the formal planning pre-application process, we are continuing to engage with a range of parties, including the local community, Glasgow City Council and Historic Environment Scotland to bring forward the best solution for the site.

“As required by current and emerging planning policy, we are considering all options for the building including its partial or full retention, re-use or redevelopment and are currently undertaking surveys of the building to inform an evaluation of the options and the impacts of these on the Central Conservation Area. This assessment will be submitted with the planning and conservation area applications in due course for formal review by the Council and interested parties.

“We have shown images of the greatest level of change in order that parties can appreciate what might come forward in that scenario, but it is important for all to recognise that the regeneration of this part of Sauchiehall Street will require significant change to deliver increased levels of activity which in turn contributes to the vitality and viability that is essential for successful city centres – shopping can no longer provide this on its own.

“We are really pleased that our redevelopment plans are driven by strong design and sustainability credentials and that they are closely in line with the City and Council’s vision for the local area. By delivering high-quality residential accommodation, the proposals can make a meaningful contribution to Glasgow City Council’s ambition to double the city centre residential population and offer an opportunity to build a resilient and sustainable city centre with all amenities within a short walk.”