Rochdale Riverside: Marks and Spencer refuses to explain why it is ignoring legal contract

Artist's impression from 2015 showing M&S as part of the Rochdale Riverside scheme

Marks and Spencer refuses to explain why it feels it is acceptable to ignore the contract it signed to take space in the new Rochdale Riverside development.

In 2015, M&S was announced as having committed to opening in the proposed development.

In November 2016, following its decision to pull out of a new development scheme in Oldham, M&S said it remained ‘committed to the relocation of its full-line store in Rochdale to the 'Rochdale Riverside' development’. 

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/106409/marks-and-spencer-remains-committed-to-rochdale-riverside-development

In March 2017, in anticipation of M&S relocating from its current Yorkshire Street location to the new development, Rochdale Council purchased the Yorkshire Street building for £4.5million.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/113119/council-spends-%C2%A381-million-on-marks-and-spencer-and-mecca-bingo-premises

In November 2017, M&S unilaterally declared it was pulling out of the development, despite having signed a legally binding agreement.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/114278/severe-blow-for-rochdale-riverside-development-as-mands-pulls-out

Asked if the Council took legal action would M&S defend, a spokeswoman said she would not “comment on legalities” and sent a statement identical to the one provided in November 2017 when announcing it was pulling out (see above link).

Rochdale Council is adamant it intends to hold M&S to the legal agreement - though the Council has refused to say what action it will take to force M&S to do so - and continues to promote M&S as part of the scheme.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117367/council-continues-to-tout-marks-and-spencer-as-part-of-rochdale-riverside-despite-mands-pull-out

Let us know what you think and we will publish a selection of your views…

• Is M&S treating Rochdale shabbily?
• Should the Council take legal action to force M&S to honour the legal agreement it signed?