A row between the government and Marks and Spencers has seen the boss of the retail warn that one of the country's most famous shopping streets is about to become extinct. According to M&S chief executive Stuart Machin, the street is on "its knees" and sliding into irrelevance after falling prey to a "growing proliferation of tacky candy stores".
Mr Machin has clashed with Michael Gove , the Levelling Up Secretary, over the redevelopment of the retailer's flagship store in Marble ARch which he wants to knock down in favour of a 10-storey retail and office block.
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Machin said: “We need to back innovation, not breed a dinosaur district destined for extinction. We know Westminster Council is making attempts to arrest its decline and the New West End Company… is leading calls for the Government to get behind investment to restore Oxford Street as a global shopping destination.”
