Exclusive: A look inside Newark’s old M&S four years after closure, ahead of demolition for new retail and residential development
With demolition due to start in the coming months, the Advertiser got an exclusive look inside the old Marks and Spencer building.
What was once a thriving clothing and food store in the heart of Newark is now just a shell of its former self — although plans to breathe life back into the space are now well underway.
Retailer Marks and Spencer left the premises behind in 2019, with their last day of trading in April that year.
Since then it has sat empty, with Newark and Sherwood District Council unable to find a new tenant for the vast building despite approaching multiple large high street retailers.
Now all that remains is the gutted shell, having had much of the flooring, decor and internal partitions removed, as well as asbestos in the structure.
Inside, the huge ground floor space is stripped back to steel and concrete with just a little light making it in through the blacked-out doors and windows.
Where there was once racks of clothing and shelves of food, is now huge amounts of empty space.
Some of the internal columns still have the pale wood-effect covering which Newarkers may remember from the store’s decor, although it is now stained and peeling.
The upstairs space, which many will never have seen before as it was used for staff and storage, bears more obvious reminders of its last use.
A large walk in fridge remains, a blackboard has handwritten reminders about stock, and a cargo lift which connects to an unloading bay below still stands.
Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Coming in as a new administration we are keen to push forward with this project at pace. The project aims to revitalise the town centre offer in Newark and by bringing in privately rented accommodation along with two brand-new retail units, we’ll be attracting more people into the heart of the town. When it comes to vacancy rates in the town, Newark is in fact performing well. The average vacancy rate for England Town Centres is 13.9% while Newark equates to 9.54%. That said, the vacancies we have are visible and we will work to ensure that we have tenants secured in the two retail units when the Stodman Street redevelopment is complete.
“Without the Council’s intervention, the building would have become derelict and an eyesore on the street. We’ve taken action into our own hands and are trying to do our best for Newark, turning a building that could have been abandoned into a thriving and active area where living, working and shopping come together. Creating new quality homes in the town centre means more people and activity, improving vibrancy and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Residents know how huge the unit is, we have tried extensively to grab the attention of big high-street retailers, but there has been zero interest. Our recent track record at the Buttermarket has demonstrated that we want to give new life to spaces in the town centre.
“We have not forgotten the importance of sustainability either. This development will be off gas, will utilise solar panels on the roof, have modern insulation and will recycle up to 90% of all materials removed from site. It will also create new green planting and expand St Marks Lane, opening up the link between Lombard Street and Stodman Street.”
Demolition of much of the sprawling building is set to begin this year, by council-appointed contractor Stepnell, although the art-deco frontage will remain.
A decorative block marking Queen Elizabeth’s silver jubilee is also planned to be reincorporated into the new development.
The project will see the space transformed into two smaller ground floor retail units, resident’s parking and apartments on three floors above.
Demolition will also open up St Marks Place, with a straight access through from Lombard Street to Stodman Street, which is also hoped to deter anti-social behaviour in the area.
