The Aberdeen Marks and Spencer store, a once-grand department store, is now facing a grim fate. The building, which closed last spring, is set to be demolished due to the discovery of dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Raac). This lightweight concrete, widely used in the UK from the 1950s to the 1990s, has been found in various floors of the store, including the first and second floors, which housed the home and clothing lines. The revelation of Raac has sparked concerns about the safety of the building and the potential impact on the surrounding area. The Aberdeen City Council has been informed of the plans to demolish the store, and M&S has submitted a pre-application for the demolition. The decision comes as a surprise, as M&S had previously stated that they were developing options for the longer-term future of the building. The discovery of Raac is not the only issue plaguing the former M&S store. The building has been added to a "watch-list" of city sites most at risk of vandalism, and fire chiefs have ramped up patrols around the empty store. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been dealing with concerns about antisocial behaviour around the building, and the premises has been added to the check-list of buildings overseen by the void and derelict properties group. The decision to demolish the store has raised questions about the future of the site and the potential impact on the community. Aberdeen residents are divided on what should happen with the former M&S site, with some calling for it to be preserved as a historic landmark and others advocating for its redevelopment. The demolition plans have sparked a debate about the balance between preserving history and making way for new developments. The future of the Aberdeen Marks and Spencer store remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the building's days are numbered. The demolition of the store will mark the end of an era for the city, and the potential loss of a historic landmark will be a topic of discussion for years to come.
