This isn't just any wall... it's a fire hazard: Shoppers fear side of M&S store decorated with green foliage poses a safety risk after 'drainage failure' caused plants to die

This isn't just any wall... it's a fire hazard.

That's what shoppers at an M&S in Ecclesall, Sheffield have said about a new eco-friendly plant wall.

The green decoration has drawn criticism from locals who have complained that the once luscious shop wall has become an eyesore after the drainage system failed causing plants to die off.

Shoppers are in uproar about a potential fire hazard now the 62 species of foliage at the flagship store in South Yorkshire have turned completely brown and withered away.

The Simply Food store has now become a blight on the upmarket high street with appalled residents voicing their concerns on X, formerly Twitter. 

The flagship store was opened in 2011 to great fanfare as the first of its kind to have LED lights, no heating, sunpipes to bring in natural light and rainwater toilets.

It was made using re-claimed bricks from a disused mill in Manchester and no waste went to landfill.

The green wall was created to encourage wildlife habitats, insulate the building and act as a pollution filter.

But the eco-dream is far from a reality now and shoppers have taken to social media to make their concerns known.

One shopper said: 'The wall though would seem to be a fire hazard as well as an eyesore and a good example of why green walls should not be recommended by planners.'

While architect Mike Brown said: 'The problem with green walls is that they need regular maintenance which the installers charge a lot of money to do, and then it gets forgotten/omitted to save some money.

'People also don't realise they need regular watering as the wall doesn't retain that much moisture.'

Another local posted: 'It was freezing inside for a year or two and the staff were issued with fleeces to combat the cold. They eventually put that right but the place remains really dingy at the best of times.'

Another shopper said: 'Any plans to sort out this green wall at Sheffield Eccleshill Road? The graffiti is also not being cleaned off the store in good time and no litter bins are provided outside this store either, with lots of litter at most times around the entrance.'

And Robert Cook said: 'All green walls seem to end up like this. A big hedge or set of trees would have probably been a better and more sustainable choice.'

The high street supermarket has said it has called in contractors to fix the eco-friendly walls.  

A spokesman for M&S said: 'I have looked into this and it appears there have been some drainage issues so we have a contractor visiting to arrange replanting.'

During the summer, dry plants can pose serious fire risks and are highly combustible. 

Dead foliage, dried insects and leaves can become tinder boxes if they come into contact with discarded cigarette butts, barbecues or electrical sparks.