What: Selfridges has backed M&S in their plans to demolish the Oxford Street store as part of a plan to redevelop the location.

Why it is important: M&S and its neighbour Selfridges will be required to defend the controversial redevelopment plan against environmental campaigners and historic building fans.

Arguments from the opposition are likely to focus on the 90-year-old building being refurbished rather than demolished. In terms of environmental impact, opponents say the redevelopment would release almost 40,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.

M&S has addressed the opposition by stating that the new building will use a quarter of the current building’s energy as well as be built using 95% of existing materials. In addition, the retailer has argued that a refurbishment would not deliver the kind of experience modern shoppers want which it believes could potentially influence customers to move away from Oxford Street.

Marks & Spencer to demolish Oxford Street store