Marks & Spencer has announced today that work is well underway on its first brand-new ‘green’ store which will be located at Silverburn Retail Park just outside Glasgow.

The 70,000 sq ft store will open in October under M&S’ latest signature style and will incorporate a host of ‘eco-features’ that will significantly reduce its carbon footprint and improve its energy efficiency.

On completion of the work the store will use up to 55 per cent less energy and emit up to 95 per cent less carbon dioxide than a similar sized M&S store. The store will be powered by fully renewable energy sourced from the first M&S wind turbine located in Aberdeenshire – one of the major factors contributing to its carbon savings.

Other savings will be achieved via a combination of installing lobby areas to improve air tightness and minimise heat and energy loss, as well as more efficient lighting, refrigeration and heating and ventilation systems. For example, daylight sensors will be installed in the display windows to ensure that the lights only come on when needed and a sun pipe will be installed to provide natural daylight to staff areas.

The store will also use approximately 40% less water than a comparable M&S store through the installation of low volume dual flush customer toilets and low water consumption showers for staff. Additionally, rainwater will be harvested and refrigeration condensation will be recovered and used to flush toilets – again reducing the amount of water needed to operate the store.

The store will also be the first M&S to have fridges that operate on hydrocarbon and CO2 refrigerants rather than HFCs – a major move that will eliminate the risk of HFC leakage. Fridges will also be fitted with guards to reduce cool air leakage that will save at least 4% of the energy needed to operate each fridge.

Niall Trafford, Executive of Store Design and Specification at Marks & Spencer, said “Making our stores more ‘eco-efficient’ is a challenge that we are determined to tackle, especially if we are to meet M&S’ target of becoming carbon neutral by 2012.

“Creating a new ‘green’ store at Silverburn has presented us with a great opportunity to trial and develop new technologies that have the potential to be rolled out in M&S stores across the UK. We are excited to have secured a renewable energy source to power the store – achieving a 95% reduction in Co2 emissions is something we are particularly proud of.”

As well as the ‘eco-features’, all suppliers on to the project are working in a ‘greener’, more efficient way. This includes managing waste materials to ensure that they are recycled where possible. It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of waste and key construction off-cuts will be recycled or reused.

Suppliers will use BREEAM* A-rated materials with low or non hazardous content and low energy processing when available, including carpet flooring and tiling. Also, some display equipment will be made from recyclable plastic.

Pollok is one of three trial ‘eco-stores’, outlined in Plan A, M&S’ £200 million, five year eco-plan, that will open in October 2007. The two other stores are the major redevelopment of an existing M&S store in Bournemouth and a brand-new M&S Simply Food store in Galashiels.

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For more information please contact:
Michelle Hay, Brown Beattie Communications 01324 602553

Notes to Editors