An abandoned Marks & Spencer store in a major UK city is set to be demolished, sparking fears of a derelict wasteland in the heart of Aberdeen.
Former M&S Store in Aberdeen to Be Knocked Down
The building, which once housed an 80,000-square-ft Marks & Spencer store, will be torn down. The former store at St Nicholas Square closed in spring 2025 after decades of serving the Scottish city. The department store shut down after M&S invested £15 million in revamping Aberdeen's Union Square branch to make it one of the best in Scotland.
Community Concerns Over Demolition
After the closure, Aberdeen City Council members hoped to find a new use for the space. However, it has now been confirmed that the landmark building will be demolished. An M&S spokesperson told the Press and Journal: "We can confirm that a pre-application for the proposed demolition of the closed St Nicholas Street store was submitted to Aberdeen City Council last month. Subject to approval, we will engage with the community and key stakeholders on the proposed plans."
Tory MSP for the North East of Scotland, Liam Kerr, expressed concerns that Aberdeen's city centre could become a wasteland. "This decision highlights the huge difficulties in finding tenants to fill multi-storey buildings of this size, which in the case of the old M&S, have become a haven for vandalism and antisocial behaviour," Kerr said. "The depressing sight of businesses closing then knocking down buildings to save money on extortionate rates and energy costs should act as a wake-up call for ministers, both in Holyrood and at Westminster. We cannot allow any part of our city centre to become derelict wasteland, which is why the council must urgently work with M&S to ensure this land is immediately brought back into use if demolition is granted."
Future of the Site
The demolition plans are subject to approval by Aberdeen City Council. M&S has stated it will engage with the community and stakeholders on the proposed plans. The future use of the site remains uncertain, but local leaders are urging swift action to prevent urban decay.
