Bill Bryson has given his support to a campaign to stop Marks & Spencer from tearing down its Oxford Street flagship store.
The award-winning author, whose books include Notes from a Small Island and A Short History of Nearly Everything, said he had “no special knowledge or insights about the matter”, adding: “I just wish to help stop a bit of foolishness.”
M&S wants to demolish the existing group of buildings, including the Edwardian era Oxford Street facade, and replace it with a new 10-storey building. It has drawn criticism for not choosing to retrofit the existing structure. Former levelling up secretary Michael Gove ordered a public inquiry into the scheme, which is scheduled for October.
Bryson is understood to have donated £500 to a fighting fund established by campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage in the run-up to a public inquiry.
The list of opponents also includes Ian Ritchie Architects, which worked on the Louvre’s pyramid extension, and sustainable design specialist Sarah Wigglesworth.
