Marks and Spencer plc and four contractors have been accused by the Health and Safety Executive of exposing staff and members of the public to asbestos whilst refurbishment work at stores in Reading, Bournemouth and Plymouth took place.

The high street chain pleaded not guilty to contravening sections (2)1 and (3)1 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act at all three of its stores.  Styles and Wood Ltd, one of the contractors that worked at the store in Reading, pleaded guilty to breaching the same sections of the Act. The second contractor, Willmott Dixon Construction, did not enter a plea for allegedly breaching the same sections of the Act for work at the Bournemouth store.  PA Realisations Ltd was not represented in court but was accused of breaching regulation 10 and 15 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 for work carried out at the Reading store.

The committal hearing will take place on Tuesday 9 February 2010.