A new frontage for M&S Simply Food in Teddington High Street

The Teddington Society's campaign to protect the character of  the town's conservation areas has resulted in a revamp of  the shopfront at M&S Simply Food in the High Street. 

After receiving complaints from residents that the blacked-out windows and dominating advertisements of food products were out of keeping with the heritage street-scene, the society's planning group contacted Marks and Spencer to ask if there could be a more sympathetic treatment of their storefront. 

M&S storefront October 2024

In a conservation area,  there is a requirement that changes to premises - including shop windows, lighting and signage - should 'protect' or 'enhance'  the character of that area.  We considered that this M&S storefront failed to do this and was unsympathetic to its neighbours and the street's heritage.   Many smaller companies and independent local businesses in Teddington have gone to a great deal of care and expense to comply with planning rules when altering or decorating the front of their premises, making the High Street the attractive shopping destination that it has become. We considered that a top-ranking national company like M&S should be leading the way  in sympathetic design and not creating a precedent that could undermine the character of the town.

Thanks to the backing of local Councillors and Richmond Council's Planning Officers  - and the sympathetic response from the property department of Marks and Spencer-  the offending blackouts and advertisements have now been removed and the store opened up to the street once more.  

M&S storefront April 2025

19 Apr 2025