Play suspended at MK Dons as M&S pulls out

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkleman said attracting M&S was key to the stadium's second phase.

The MK Dons' £54m stadium is the latest victim of the credit crunch with work on hold as the club struggles to attract funding for Phase Two.

The club had planned to fund the second phase through a deal involving Marks and Spencer taking space at a planned 14,000m2 retail centre adjacent to the ground. But Marks and Spencer confirmed this week it was pulling out of the deal. A spokeswoman told CJ: "We have no current plans to announce a new M&S on this site."

Last week chairman Pete Winkleman spelt out how crucial M&S was to funding the second phase. As CJ went to press Winkleman was unavailable for comment on M&S's decision to withdraw.

The work for both phases was awarded to Buckingham Group.

Phase One, which began in 2005 and completed last year, created a 22,000-seat stadium set in an enormous bowl. The second phase will create an upper tier with a further 9,500 seats, a hotel with 120 rooms, two pitch view restaurants and 54 corporate boxes and office space.