M&S pins hopes on makeover

MARKS & Spencer bosses admitted that its High Street shops need a facelift and hailed its new furniture superstore as the sign of things to come.

Director Vittorio Radice said: 'We have 350 stores and my God they are all in desperate need of attention.'

He said the last refurbishment was 'superficial'. He added: 'We painted the walls from beige to white and changed the carpet, but it has to be done properly.'

Radice said his comments were not a criticism of chairman Luc Vandevelde, who had to scale down a refit three years ago while he battled to restore Marks' fortunes.

Chief executive Roger Holmes 'absolutely' agreed with Radice that heavy investment was needed, saying the last revamp was 'deliberately low cost'.

Former Selfridges boss Radice opens the first M&S Lifestore today, an out-of-town superstore selling furniture, ornaments and linens in Gateshead. He is redesigning some High Street stores.

Lifestore is a huge shed in minimalist style with white fittings and bright lights to show off Radice's new ranges. It contains a two-storey house.

The old M&S velvet cushions-silver candlesticks and chenille sofas are mixed with orange coffee tables, oriental sideboards and Andy Warhol pictures.

Radice is confident that older shoppers will learn to love it. 'Our traditional customers are desperate for us to move on,' he said. 'They don't want another purple velvet cushion if they've got 20 already.'