Building Better: How Reclaimed Bricks Helped Shape the M&S Eco Store in Sheffield

Marks & Spencer’s Learning Store on Ecclesall Road isn’t just another high-street location — it’s a flagship for sustainable retail. As one of the first UK stores to integrate advanced low-carbon strategies and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, it proves that thoughtful architecture, ethical sourcing, and reclaimed materials can go hand in hand.

At Reclaimed Brick Company, we’re proud to have supplied reclaimed bricks for the project’s façade — helping M&S meet their environmental targets while maintaining visual appeal and local character. Here’s how reclaimed brickwork played a key role in this pioneering eco-build.

A New Standard in Sustainable Retail Design

The Sheffield Learning Store was developed as a testing ground for innovative sustainability strategies, many of which have now been adopted across the M&S estate. Designed by architects Lewis and Hickey, the store combines advanced construction practices with energy-efficiency, ethical sourcing, and visual appeal — a balance that’s hard to strike.

From its early stages, the project set its sights on BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification — one of the highest benchmarks for sustainable building performance in the UK. This required meeting strict criteria across materials, energy use, water efficiency, transport, and more.

That’s where reclaimed materials came in.

Why Reclaimed Bricks Were Chosen

The external façade of the Sheffield store uses a traditional-style reclaimed brick — hand-salvaged, wirecut stock bricks with rich natural variation and signs of weathered patina. These weren’t chosen just for their looks (though they’re certainly striking). They also offer significant environmental advantages.

Reclaimed bricks support BREEAM in multiple ways:

Lower embodied carbon than newly manufactured alternatives
No additional clay extraction or kiln firing
Local sourcing, reducing transportation emissions
Contribution to BREEAM credits under MAT01 (Lifecycle Impacts) and WST01 (Construction Waste)

By supplying hand-salvaged, character-rich bricks with known provenance, Reclaimed Brick Company contributed not only to the design aesthetic but also supported BREEAM targets for lifecycle impact. Documentation on reuse and embodied carbon figures was made available as part of the project’s evidence pack — a key step in demonstrating compliance with MAT01 and WST01 credits.

Visual Impact with Environmental Substance

The finished brickwork blends seamlessly with its surroundings, echoing the architectural language of Sheffield while giving the building its own clear identity. It doesn’t shout “eco-store” — it simply is one. This subtle sustainability aligns with M&S’s goal: embedding environmental responsibility without sacrificing performance or presentation.

The learning store also acts as an educational space, showcasing live building performance data and sustainable construction techniques. Reclaimed bricks — with their visible texture and historic tones — become part of this story, helping customers and the wider public understand how small material choices contribute to a larger environmental impact.

Key BREEAM Strategies at a Glance

While reclaimed bricks played a crucial role in the materials and lifecycle strategy, the M&S Sheffield Eco Store implemented a wide range of initiatives to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status. These include:

Air permeability testing to reduce energy leakage
Renewable energy systems such as photovoltaics
Biodiversity planting on-site
Water-saving fittings
Ethical material sourcing and contractor performance monitoring
Cycle storage and customer transport links
On-site recycling and waste management protocols

By integrating reclaimed materials with these broader strategies, the project demonstrates that sustainability is never the result of a single product — but of holistic, joined-up thinking.

Reclaimed Brick Company’s Role

Sustainability isn’t a marketing angle for us — it’s the foundation of what we do. By reclaiming bricks from demolition sites across the UK, carefully cleaning and quality checking each unit, and supplying by the thousand to eco-conscious projects like this one, we help clients:

Lower their carbon footprint
Support circular construction
Achieve BREEAM and LEED certification targets
Preserve architectural heritage

Whether it’s a flagship retail build or a residential extension, reclaimed bricks allow you to build greener without compromise. Their visual richness, durability, and environmental value make them ideal for both traditional and contemporary settings.