Historic England Rejects bid to list Marks & Spencer Building, as Council eyes demolition
Historic England has rejected a bid to offer listed building status to the Marks & Spencer building on High Street West.
The building, now vacant, was home to the retail chain until it controversially closed in May, consolidating its operations in Washington.
It was soon revealed thereafter that the council plans to demolish it in order to build offices once the chain’s lease expires on the premise in 2027.
This incurred pushback from opposition councillors, who campaigned in vain to save it.
Historic England said it rejected the bid because “it did not meet the necessary criteria for listing in a national context”.
